New Orleans Pelicans newcomer Saddiq Bey hasn’t played in a regular season NBA game since March 2024.
You wouldn’t have known that by watching the Pelicans’ newcomer in their second preseason game in Australia.
Bey knocked down three 3-pointers in the first quarter to jumpstart the Pelicans in their 127-92 preseason victory over South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday afternoon (late Saturday night central time).
The Pelicans went 2-0 in their two games in Australia. It was a historic trip as the Pels became the first NBA team to play in Australia.
They didn’t waste any time taking care of business.
The Pelicans knocked down seven 3-pointers in the first quarter and led 35-21.
Bey finished with a game-high 21 points to go with his six rebounds and three assists.
Bey is in his first season in New Orleans after being acquired as part of the CJ McCollum – Jordan Poole trade. He missed all of last season with the Washington Wizards after suffering a torn ACL the season before while playing for the Atlanta Hawks.
“I am just grateful to be out here,” Bey said in post game TV interview. “The opportunity to play in Australis is a blessing.”
Pelicans’ head coach Willie Green started a different lineup from the one he used in the Pelicans’ first game. In the first game, the starters were Bey, Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney. Rookie Jeremiah Fears replaced Murphy in the starting lineup Sunday. Poole finished with 15 points and Fears scored 12.
Williamson played just 15 minutes, but made the most of his time. He finished with eight points, nine rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocked shots. Jordan Hawkins scored14 points.
Jose Alvarado left the game with a leg injury in the third quarter. Green said Alvarado will be evaluated when the team returns to New Orleans.
The Pelicans return home Sunday and won’t play another preseason game until Oct. 14 when they play the Houston Rockets in Birmingham, Ala.