Alvarado's 3-pointer sends Pelicans past Hornets for their first win of the season

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Jose Alvarado made a go-ahead 3-pointer with 16 seconds left and the New Orleans Pelicans won for the first time this season by beating the Charlotte Hornets 116-112 on Tuesday night.

Trey Murphy III scored 21 points for the Pelicans, who had dropped their first six games. Their victory left the Brooklyn Nets (0-7) as the NBA’s only winless team.

Alvarado added 18 points and fellow reserve Saddiq Bey had 17 for the Pelicans, who announced earlier Tuesday that Zion Williamson would miss at least a week because of a strained left hamstring.

Miles Bridges scored 22 points and rookie Kon Knueppel had 20 points and 12 rebounds for the Hornets, who played without LaMelo Ball for a second straight game because of a right ankle injury.

Trailing by two at halftime, Charlotte opened the third quarter with an 11-0 run to take a lead it held all the way until Alvarado dribbled right and pulled up for his go-ahead shot.

Rookie Derik Queen then came up with his fourth steal of the game after Charlotte inbounded and Murphy made two free throws to make it 115-112. Bridges missed a tying 3-point attempt and Bey made a free throw to close the scoring.