The Pelicans needed a win. Sacramento gave them an opportunity, and they finally took advantage.

New Orleans' 132-120 victory Thursday featured Jeremiah Fears directing the offense, Herb Jones making his presence felt on both ends, and productive nights from Zion Williamson and Trey Murphy III. A bench that overwhelmed Sacramento's reserves helped the Pelicans get across the finish line.

We're grading on a curve, though. The Kings may be the NBA's worst team, and beating them didn't resolve anything that went wrong during New Orleans' first four games. The Pelicans were outscored in the first and fourth quarters again.

New Orleans still committed 21 turnovers and lost the first and fourth quarters. Nobody gets an A-plus for this one.

But after four consecutive losses, several players gave New Orleans something to cheer for.

Jeremiah Fears: A

Fears came within two rebounds of a triple-double, finishing with 22 points, a career high 13 assists, and eight rebounds.…