The rookie scored a career-high 40 points to lead the team to a win over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday.
Pelicans first-round draft pick Jeremiah Fears scored a career-high 40 points to lead New Orleans to a 156–137 win over the Utah Jazz on Tuesday night at the Smoothie King Center. Forty points is the most ever by a Pelicans rookie in a single game.
New Orleans opted to not play most of its top-line players. Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Saddiq Bey, and Herb Jones all watched from the bench while Fears stole the show. He was 17-of-29 from the field and added six assists and five rebounds.
The Pelicans trailed by eight at halftime, but Jordan Poole led a third-quarter surge. New Orleans outscored Utah 50–27 in the third quarter. Poole finished with 34 points.
Other significant contributors in the win included Derik Queen, who had 17 points and 12 rebounds, and Micah Peavy, who added 20.
New Orleans has two games remaining this season and many questions to answer in the offseason, beginning with the fate of interim head coach James Borrego.