Seven New Orleans players reached double figures, led by rookie Jordan Hawkins’ season-high 34 points, as the Pelicans defeated the Dallas Mavericks 118-108 on Saturday night in a contest where the majority of each team’s regular starters were not in uniform.
Jonas Valanciunas added 14 points and a game-high 12 rebounds to assist Herb Jones in scoring 15 points for the Pelicans, who suffered a back-to-back losses after falling to Denver 125-113 on Friday.
Following Kyrie Irving in the lead with 33 points for the Mavericks were Tim Hardaway Jr. and Derrick Jones Jr., each with 24.
After making 4 of 14 3-pointers in the first half, the Pelicans improved to 7 of 9 from deep in the third quarter to defeat the Mavericks 39-27 and take a commanding 88-81 lead.
Due to an ankle sprain, Luka Doncic of Dallas missed his second consecutive game for the first time this season. Dereck Lively II, a rookie for Dallas, missed his fifth consecutive game due to an ankle injury, while Dante Exum missed his sixth consecutive game with a plantar fascia.
CJ McCollum (ankle), Zion Williamson (rest), and Brandon Ingram (Achilles) were all absent for the Pelicans. It was the fourth time this season that Williamson was held out of back-to-back finales in which the Pelicans participated.
Additionally sidelined by a knee injury, starting reserve Trey Murphy III cost the Pelicans two-thirds of their season-long scoring.
