Rookie Jeremiah Fears led New Orleans with 22 points and a career-high 13 assists, while Zion Williamson also contributed 22 points. Memphis, meanwhile, were inspired by Cameron Boozer, who registered the first triple-double of his NBA career.
In the night's other fixture, the Atlanta Hawks recovered from a difficult start to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 114-111 and end their three-game losing streak.
Fears leads Pelicans past winless Kings
New Orleans finally got its first win after opening the campaign with four consecutive defeats, overcoming Sacramento in an entertaining contest at the Smoothie King Center.
Fears delivered an impressive all-round performance, recording 22 points, 13 assists and eight rebounds. The 20-year-old also contributed four blocks and two steals, narrowly missing out on a triple-double.
Williamson added 22 points on an efficient 10-of-12 shooting, while Trey Murphy III finished with 18 points.
The Pelicans trailed 61-63 at half-time but took control in the third quarter, using a decisive scoring run to establish a lead they would not surrender.
Sacramento's rookie Darius Acuff Jr. produced an outstanding individual performance with 34 points and 14 assists. De'Andre Hunter and Precious Achiuwa added 24 points apiece, but their efforts were not enough to prevent the Kings from falling to 0-5.
The result gave New Orleans a 1-4 record, while Sacramento remained without a victory after five games.
Boozer makes history as Grizzlies defeat Portland
The Memphis Grizzlies continued their remarkable start to the season with a 124-103 road victory over the Portland Trail Blazers, improving their record to 5-0.
Rookie Cameron Boozer was the standout performer, recording 18 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists to achieve the first triple-double of his NBA career.
He became the second-youngest player in NBA history to record a triple-double, adding another milestone to his impressive introduction to professional basketball.
Isaiah Stewart also scored 18 points for Memphis, while Cedric Coward contributed 17. Seven other Grizzlies players reached double figures, highlighting the team's balanced offensive performance.
Portland were led by Deni Avdija, who finished with 24 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Ja Morant, facing his former team for the first time since moving to Portland, recorded 14 points, three assists and two rebounds in 23 minutes.
Morant left the game in the fourth quarter with a hamstring injury and did not return.
The teams were level at 58-58 at half-time, but Memphis took control after the break, outscoring Portland 66-45 in the second half to secure a convincing victory. The Trail Blazers suffered their first defeat of the campaign, dropping to 3-1.
Hawks overcome Cavaliers after impressive turnaround
Atlanta also enjoyed an important victory, defeating Cleveland 114-111 at State Farm Arena.
Onyeka Okongwu led the Hawks with a season-high 29 points and 12 rebounds, while Nickeil Alexander-Walker added 25 points. Aaron Wiggins contributed 20 points off the bench.
Cleveland made the stronger start, opening up a 15-point advantage in the first quarter. However, Atlanta responded with a 19-2 scoring run in the second period to turn the contest around.
The Hawks then produced a 43-point third quarter to establish an advantage heading into the final period.
James Harden led Cleveland with 24 points, while Donovan Mitchell added 22. Mitchell brought the Cavaliers within one point with 20.6 seconds remaining, but Alexander-Walker converted two free throws to restore Atlanta's three-point cushion.
Mitchell had two opportunities to force overtime in the closing seconds but missed both attempts.
The victory lifted Atlanta to 3-3 and ended its three-game losing streak. Cleveland, meanwhile, dropped to 3-2 after having its own three-game winning run halted.
NBA results from Thursday, 29 October 2026
• New Orleans Pelicans 132-120 Sacramento Kings
• Atlanta Hawks 114-111 Cleveland Cavaliers
• Memphis Grizzlies 124-103 Portland Trail Blazers