Bey scores 42 points, Pelicans beat Jazz 129-118 to open 2-game set in Utah

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Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams, center left, blocks a shot by New Orleans Pelicans guard Saddiq Bey (41) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

New Orleans Pelicans guard Saddiq Bey, center, has the ball blocked by Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate) — Utah Jazz forward Cody Williams, center left, blocks a shot by New Orleans Pelicans guard Saddiq Bey (41) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2026, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)

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8:33 PM on Thursday, February 26

The Associated Press

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Saddiq Bey scored 42 points, Zion Williamson had 20 and the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Utah Jazz 129-118 on Thursday night to open a two-game set.

The teams will meet again in Salt Lake City on Saturday night. The Pelicans, who opened a six-game trip, have won three straight and five of seven to improve to 18-42.

Bey was 14 of 20 from the field, making 5 of 9 3-pointers, and hit all nine of his free throws. Williamson was 9 of 14 from the floor.

Pelicans point guard Dejounte Murray added 17 points and nine assists in his second straight game after missing more than a year because of a torn right Achilles.

Ace Bailey led Utah with 23 points, and Brice Sensabaugh had 20. The short-handed Jazz have lost four straight to fall to 18-41.

Utah star Lauri Markkanen was injured in practice Wednesday, and was held out of the game because of a sprained right ankle and right hip impingement.

Starters Jaren Jackson Jr. and Jusuf Nurkic were shut down for the season following surgeries, and Utah lost Vince Williams Jr. to a torn ACL on Monday night in a loss at Houston.

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