The New Orleans Pelicans needed a hero in the worst way on Tuesday against the Hornets, and Jose Alvarado was up to the task.
The scrappy point guard drained a stepback, go-ahead 3-pointer with 15.4 seconds remaining and the Pelicans hung on for a 116-12 win that snapped their six-game skid to open the season.
"The play wasn't for me, I'll tell you that much," Alvarado said on-court after the game. "But I believe in myself. He went underneath the screen and I'll probably hit that shot every time, and why not, man, why not do it at home in New Orleans."
Alvarado finished the game with 18 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists in a season-high 31 minutes off the bench.
Rookie Derik Queen swiped away the ensuing inbound pass and the Hornets missed a game-tying 3-pointer after a pair of Trey Murphy free throws. Queen was one of the main catalysts in the Pelicans' late rally, which including an 11-0 run to finish the game. The rookie finished with 12 points, all in the fourth quarter, 8 rebounds and 7 assists.
"[Queen] was amazing tonight," head coach Willie Green said. "We needed every ounce of what he gave us."
New Orleans had a double-digit lead late into the first half but only led 61-59 at halftime. The Pelicans continued their trend of disappointing third quarters, with Charlotte coming out of halftime on an 11-0 run before the Pelicans clawed back and trimmed the margin to 6 points entering the final frame.
Rookie Kon Knueppel had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Hornets, while forward Miles Bridges had a game-high 22 points. The Pelicans were led by Trey Murphy III's 21 points, but they also logged a season-high 62 points off the bench, with four players in double-figures.
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The win is a slight reprieve for the negativity surrounding the Pelicans and their rough start, though they'll have to continue to make do without star Zion Williamson, who has been ruled out at least a week due to a hamstring injury. The Pelicans are next in action on Wednesday when they face the Mavericks on the road, followed by a matchup with the Spurs on Saturday.