Anthony Davis put up 46 points and 21 rebounds as the Pelicans defeated the Hornets, 125-122, in overtime in Charlotte.
Davis, who was celebrating his 24th birthday, had 24 points in the fourth quarter and overtime to lead the way.
DeMarcus Cousins got into foul trouble and didn't play most of the fourth or OT. Jrue Holiday had 15 points and 13 assists as the Pelicans ended a two-game slide.
Marvin Williams led Charlotte with 27 points. Kemba Walker and Nic Batum scored 24 points each as Charlotte fell to 29-and-37.
“Knowing the position we’re in as a team,(five games out of eighth place in the West) I just wanted to go out there and compete to the highest level,” Davis said.
"I was just trying to lead the team to a victory and I was able to do that. Other guys stepped up and made big plays as well, then down the stretch, I just tried to help the team win.”
“That’s why he’s The Man," said Dante Cunningham, who scored 14 points in the contest. "That’s why he is who he is. He kind of let us do the work for a little while, but then he took over when it counted.”
“I just thought we hung in," Coach ASlvin Gentry said. "We kept battling.”