ATLANTA — The Atlanta Hawks delivered a statement performance Wednesday night at State Farm Arena, rolling past the New Orleans Pelicans 117–100 behind a balanced scoring attack and tenacious defense.
With the victory, Atlanta improved to 18–21 on the season, while handing New Orleans its ninth straight loss as the Pelicans continue to slide in the Western Conference standings.
Atlanta jumped out early behind hot perimeter shooting. Zaccharie Risacher drilled two early three-pointers, helping the Hawks race out to a 12–4 opening run. The Hawks’ second unit soon provided a major spark, as Jalen Johnson attacked the rim relentlessly, drawing fouls and controlling the glass. Atlanta closed the half on a 9–2 run to take a 58–46 halftime lead.
Risacher was the standout, pouring in a season-high 25 points while knocking down multiple momentum-shifting shots from deep to keep the Pelicans’ defense stretched. Johnson also made his presence felt, finishing with 19 points and eight rebounds, showcasing the multifaceted role he continues to grow into this season.
Atlanta’s offense never went quiet — seven Hawks finished in double figures — and the team controlled both the glass and the tempo throughout the night.
New Orleans received solid production from Zion Williamson (22 points, eight rebounds), but the Hawks’ depth proved to be too much. The Pelicans, sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, were never able to mount a sustained rally after Atlanta built a double-digit lead early.
However, the biggest news of the night came off the floor.
The Hawks officially ushered in a new era with the announcement of the Trae Young trade, marking the end of one of the most significant chapters in franchise history. Drafted in 2018 in a blockbuster draft-night deal that brought him to Atlanta from Dallas, Young quickly became the face of the franchise. Over seven seasons, he earned four All-Star selections, led the NBA in assists, and orchestrated one of the most thrilling playoff runs in team history — including a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021.
Atlanta now looks to carry this momentum forward as it begins a new chapter — and fittingly, that era opened with a win.