PHOTOS: Hawks defeat Pelicans

Sports

PHOTOS: Hawks defeat Pelicans

Amid the swirling trade news involving guard Trae Young, the Hawks came up with a convincing 117-100 victory over the Pelicans on Wednesday night at State Farm Arena.

Hawks forward Jalen Johnson goes to the basket for dunking the ball during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (center) appeals to a referee during the second half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (right) shoots a 3-point basket over New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks Head Coach Quin Snyder shouts instructions to his team on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks coach Quin Snyder instructs forward Asa Newell during the second half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (front) goes for a loose ball during the second half against the Pelicans on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks guard Luke Kennard (left) speaks to guard Trae Young during a timeout on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (left) stands with forward/center Kristaps Porzingis on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (right) drives against New Orleans Pelicans guard Bryce McGowens on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks forward/center Kristaps Porzingis (right) drives against New Orleans Pelicans forward Kevon Looney on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher (left) speaks with coach Quin Snyder during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (left) drives against New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (center) drives against Pelicans center Derik Queen (left) and Pelicans forward Zion Williamson on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (center) and Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears (right) fight for a loose ball on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks forward Jalen Johnson scores during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks forward Mo Gueye (18) dunks the ball against Pelicans center Derik Queen during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (center) shoots for two points between Pelicans forward/center Karlo Matkovic (left) and Pelicans guard Jeremiah Fears on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks forward Mo Gueye (left) goes to the basket for the shot past Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks forward Jalen Johnson (center) shoots over Pelicans guard Jordan Poole (left) and Pelicans center Derik Queen on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks forward Jalen Johnson goes to the basket for dunking the ball on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks forward Zaccharie Risacher smiles after scoring against the Pelicans on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks coach Quin Snyder shouts instructions to his team on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks guard Vit Krejci (right) knocks the ball away from Pelicans guard/forward Micah Peavy on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Hawks forward Jalen Johnson goes to the basket on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

1/24

Hawks forward Jalen Johnson goes to the basket for dunking the ball during the first half on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Today's Gallery Headlines

Pelicans vs Hawks game

PHOTOS: Hawks defeat Pelicans

Pelicans vs Hawks game

PHOTOS: Trae Young reportedly traded to Wizards

aajc 010626 tech syracuse basketball

PHOTOS: Georgia Tech's comeback falls short in loss to Syracuse in ACC basketball

Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints

PHOTOS: Falcons defeat Saints to win season finale

More Galleries

Juwad Maynard holds a banner during a protest in Atlanta on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, against the U.S. military action in Venezuela. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

PHOTOS: People gather in downtown Atlanta to protest U.S. military action in Venezuela

People prepare to run the Polar Opposite Peachtree Road Race on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026, in Atlanta. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

PHOTOS: Thousands run AJC Polar Opposite Peachtree Road Race

Sugar Bowl Game

PHOTOS: Georgia upset by Ole Miss in Sugar Bowl

Sugar Bowl Game

PHOTOS: Georgia prepares for Sugar Bowl