Jordan Hawkins Career Night Lifts Undermanned Pelicans Past Mavericks

The Pelicans were without three starters and a key bench player, but still managed to defeat the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday.

The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Dallas Mavericks 118-108 Saturday evening at the American Airlines Center. New Orleans came into the game severely undermanned, playing without Zion Williamson, CJ McCollum, Brandon Ingram, and Trey Murphy III. Dallas played without their All-Star guard, Luka Doncic, for a second straight game due to an ankle injury. The Pelicans needed a spark, and rookie Jordan Hawkins' career-high 34 points provided that for New Orleans.

Hawkins provided some instant offense in the first quarter. He scored eight points in the first five minutes of the game, and the Pelicans jumped out to a 15-8 lead. Hawkins wasn't the only Pels player to produce. Dyson Daniels, starting in place of CJ McCollum, also scored eight points in the quarter for New Orleans. They dominated the paint against the smaller Mavericks team, outscoring them 16-6 inside. 

Jan 13, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins (24) and guard Jose Alvarado (15) and guard Dyson Daniels (11) celebrate during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Defensively, New Orleans held Dallas scorers Kyrie Irving and Tim Hardaway, Jr. to just 2/12 shooting in the opening period. With a late basket in the quarter, the Pelicans led 29-20 after one period. Dallas started the second quarter on a 10-0 run to grab a lead before New Orleans went on a run of their own. 

The Mavericks again closed the gap with a 16-3 run and grabbed a five-point halftime lead. Kyrie Irving scored eight points in the quarter to lead Dallas with 12 at the half. The Mavs led 54-49 at the break. After scoring just 20 points in the second quarter, the Pelicans exploded with 39 points in the third quarter to reclaim the lead.

Hawkins was again the catalyst offensively for New Orleans. He scored 14 points in the period and was shooting 10/14 from the field up to that point. His 28 points for the game left him three points from tying his previous career-high of 31 points. New Orleans led 88-81 after outscoring the Mavs by 12 in the period.

The Pelicans withstood a late run from Dallas thanks to Hawkins and center Jonas Valanciunas. Jonas dominated the paint most of the night with 14 points, 12 rebounds, and seven assists. New Orleans outscored the Mavericks 50-40 in the paint and outrebounded them 44-34. Kyrie Irving's 33 points in defeat were a team-high. The New Orleans bench outscored the Mavs 32-16 on the evening.

After losing their seven-game road winning streak to the Nuggets on Friday night, Saturday's victory in Dallas allows the Pelicans to start a new one. New Orleans will remain in Dallas as these teams square off on Monday again in an afternoon matchup.