The New Orleans Pelicans have had a poor, forgettable season.
Fortunately, the Pelicans left their loyal fans who have stuck around with something to remember in their final home game of the season.
Rookie Jeremiah Fears set a new career high and a new rookie individual game scoring record in franchise history with 40 points and the Pelicans set a franchise record for points scored in a 156-137 win over Utah Tuesday night at Smoothie King Center.
The 40 points broke the record of former LSU star Marcus Thornton, who scored 37 points for the then New Orleans Hornets in 2019.
The Pelicans set another record, scoring 90 points in the paint.
On a night where defense was optional at best, mostly nowhere to be found, the Pelicans trailed 69-61 at halftime before posting a franchise record 50 points in the third quarter and followed that with 45 points in the fourth quarter. The 95 points in the second half were another franchise record.
Fears was 17 of 29 from the field while contributing six assists and five rebounds.
Jordan Poole, who has been a massive disappointment, saved his best for he last home game, scoring a season high 34 points, including seven 3-pointers.
Jordan Hawkins, another massive disappointment, saved his best for last home game, scoring a season high 25 points. It was just his fourth game scoring in double figures this season.
Rookie Micah Peavy, who shows some promise and is known for being a good defender, saved his best for the last home game, scoring a career high 20 points on 9 of 13 shooting from the field.
Rookie Derik Queen had 17 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists as the Pelicans played without Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Saddiq Bey, Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, Yves Missi and Karlo Matkovic, choosing to play their younger players.
New Orleans shot 58 percent from the field, connecting on 61 of 106 field goal attempts. The Pelicans had 33 assists. The Pelicans won the battle of the boards by a 48-41 margin. New Orleans ran wild, scoring 44 fast break points.
Kennedy Chandler led hapless Utah with 31 points.
It was obvious that Utah was tanking, doing whatever necessary to lose.
To the credit of James Borrego and the Pelicans, they have actually tried hard most of the way.
The Pelicans (26-54) hit the road for their final two games of the season, at Boston on Friday and at Minnesota on Sunday.