The New Orleans Pelicans defeated the Sacramento Kings, 117-112, at Smoothie King Center on Wednesday night.

The Pelicans (8-7) got an early jump on the Kings (8-6) for the second straight game, expanding a two-point first-quarter lead to 14 by halftime. The two teams then matched each other bucket for bucket in the third, but Sacramento then clawed all the way back to get within as close as one point late before New Orleans was able to pull away for the narrow victory.

De'Aaron Fox paced the Kings with 26 points, adding five assists, two rebounds and one steal. Domantas Sabonis managed 23 points, nine rebounds, six assists and one block. Harrison Barnes collected 22 points and three rebounds. Trey Lyles supplied 12 points and eight boards. Malik Monk turned in 10 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals.

Zion Williamson led the Pelicans with 25 points, supplementing them with six assists and five rebounds. Brandon Ingram furnished 23 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal. Jonas Valanciunas generated a 15-point, 11-rebound double-double that included two assists. Jordan Hawkins registered 13 points, three assists and two rebounds. Naji Marshall finished with 12 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block.

The Kings remain n the road and visit the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, while the Pelicans visit the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday night as well.