NEW ORLEANS — Brandon Ingram scored 28 points in a triple-double performance as the New Orleans Pelicans cruised past the Charlotte Hornets despite a reasonably decent game from the latter team.
New Orleans won 132-112 thanks to efficient scoring, especially from the 3-point line. The Pelicans sank a franchise-record 25 3-pointers compared to 19 for the Hornets.
The Pelicans led 43-36 after a big first quarter from both teams. Ingram had 12 points and six assists in the quarter. The 36 points were the most by the Hornets in the first quarter this season.
Charlotte clawed back a bit in the second quarter and was down 66-61 going into the locker room.
But the Pelicans thwarted any comeback hopes in the second half by scoring at least 30 points in each of the final two quarters.
The Hornets managed just 51 points in the second half and suffered their sixth straight loss.
Ingram had 28 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds in the game. It's the third triple-double of his career.
The Hornets were led by LaMelo Ball with 29 points and Terry Rozier with 25 points. Nick Richards had a double-double with 12 rebounds and 10 points.
Charlotte rookie Brandon Miller missed the game due to a back injury as the Hornets have been plagued with injuries all season long.
The Hornets held a players-only meeting earlier this week after a string of embarrassing losses to address issues that appear to have already doomed this season before the halfway point. Charlotte's opening quarter shows signs of promise that the team can get things going in the right direction, but they likely have a long way to go to compete with the NBA's better teams.