2025–26 Season Averages
| 16.8Points Per Game | 5.8Rebounds Per Game | 2.4Assists Per Game | 2.2+3PT Made/Game |
Saddiq Bey put on an absolute show on Thursday night in Salt Lake City. He dropped a season-high 42 points, along with seven assists and five rebounds, to single-handedly carry the New Orleans Pelicans to a 129–118 win over the Utah Jazz. It was the second 40-point game of his NBA career — and it could not have come at a better time.
Bey was nearly unstoppable all night. He hit 14 of 20 shots from the field, knocked down 5 of 9 three-pointers, and went a perfect 9-for-9 from the free-throw line. His efficiency was the story — 70% from the field, elite shot selection, and zero wasted possessions when it mattered most.
New Orleans jumped out early. Zion Williamson drove hard in the second quarter, sparking an 8-0 run that gave the Pelicans breathing room. Bey and Williamson then went to work together — the duo combined for 33 points on just 11 baskets in the first half alone, with Bey also dishing out six first-half assists. Utah tried to hang around; Kyle Filipowski scored six straight to cut the lead to 56–53. But Bey shut the door fast, knocking in back-to-back buckets to push the lead back into double digits heading into halftime, 73–57.
Then the Pelicans blew the game open. New Orleans came out of the locker room with a blistering 10-0 run to start the third quarter. Bey capped it in style — first with a reverse layup, then a transition three off a Zion steal — stretching the lead to a massive 88–61. Utah made a late push in the fourth quarter, but two consecutive Bey layups sealed the deal and sent the Pelicans home with an important road win.
Key Players – Box Score Highlights
| Player | PTS | REB | AST | Shooting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saddiq Bey | 42 | 5 | 7 | 14/20 FG, 5/9 3PT |
| Zion Williamson | 20 | – | – | Strong inside game |
| Dejounte Murray | 17 | – | 9 | 4 STL (2nd game back) |
| Jeremiah Fears | 12 | – | – | Off the bench |
Previous Game: 18 Points vs. Golden State Warriors
Pelicans 113 – Warriors 109 | Feb 25, 2026
Just two nights earlier, Bey scored 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting, grabbed six rebounds, and added an assist in 31 minutes during a tight 113–109 win over the Golden State Warriors. He struggled a bit from three that night — just 1-of-6 from deep — and had four turnovers. But he got his points when it counted, going 5-for-5 from the free-throw line to help close out the win.
Recent Form — On a Hot Streak
Bey has been on a serious run of form over the past couple of weeks. Here’s a quick look at some of his recent standout performances:
| Date / Opponent | PTS | REB | AST | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 26 vs. Utah Jazz | 42 | 5 | 7 | W 129-118 |
| Feb 25 vs. Golden State | 18 | 6 | 1 | W 113-109 |
| Feb 21 vs. Milwaukee | 22 | 6 | 3 | L 139-118 |
| Feb 19 vs. Miami | 14 | 9 | 4 | L 123-111 |
| vs. Minnesota (recent) | 30 | 9 | 5 | W 119-115 |
Team Context: Pelicans Winning Again
Thursday’s win was the Pelicans’ third in a row and fifth in their last seven games. New Orleans is currently sitting at 18-42 and is out of the playoff race, but the team is clearly not tanking. With their own 2026 first-round pick reportedly out of their control, the Pelicans have every reason to keep competing hard — and that is exactly what they are doing.
The return of Dejounte Murray from a torn Achilles adds another dynamic to this lineup. In just his second game back, Murray put up 17 points, nine assists, and four steals — a massive boost for a team that needs playmakers. If Bey and Zion continue to play at this level alongside a healthy Murray, the second half of the season could be very interesting to watch.
Who Is Saddiq Bey?
Saddiq Bey is a 26-year-old guard-forward who plays for the New Orleans Pelicans. He was born on April 9, 1999 in Charlotte, North Carolina, and grew up in Largo, Maryland. His mother, Drewana Bey, was a high school basketball player and later became a school principal.
Bey played college basketball at Villanova, where he won the Julius Erving Small Forward of the Year Award as a sophomore and earned First-Team All-Big East honors. The Detroit Pistons selected him with the 19th overall pick in the 2020 NBA Draft. In his rookie year, Bey set himself apart quickly — he led all rookies in three-pointers made, knocking down 175 threes while shooting 38% from deep.
After time with Detroit and later the Atlanta Hawks, Bey signed a three-year, $19 million deal with the Washington Wizards in 2024. He then missed the entire 2024–25 season with a torn ACL — one of the toughest setbacks any player can face. He was traded to New Orleans in the summer of 2025, and his comeback has been nothing short of remarkable. He stands 6’8″ and weighs 215 pounds — a rare blend of size, shooting, and playmaking ability.
Saddiq Bey is playing the best basketball of his life right now.
Coming off a torn ACL that kept him out for an entire season, Bey has come back stronger, sharper, and more confident than ever. The 42-point performance against Utah on Thursday is not just a stat line — it is a statement. He averaged 14.1 points per game for his career heading into this season. Now he is averaging 16.8 and putting up 40-point nights. The Pelicans may not make the playoffs, but watching Saddiq Bey play right now is one of the most compelling stories in the NBA.
