Jeremiah Fears crosses up Dallas on his birthday, finishes with 16 points and five assists

DALLAS — Oct. 14, 2026 — The Pelicans opened the night by wishing Jeremiah Fears a happy birthday, then watched him spend 20 minutes reminding American Airlines Center why the clip would travel. New Orleans held on for a 101-97 preseason win, and Fears led the scoring with 16 points on 6-of-11 shooting, five assists, three rebounds and three steals.

OMG Jeremiah Fears crossed him into the basket 😭 pic.twitter.com/2VvjYSU3KY

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 15, 2026

The ankle-breaker that set the tone

The team account posted the crossover with a simple caption — Fears crossed him into the basket — and the clip did the rest. Later they stacked another finish: split the double, throw the lob. By halftime Fears already had 12 points, five assists and two steals on the board, with the Pelicans calling out the same ankle-breaker as the signature of the half.

It was not empty volume. He hit 2-of-3 from three and both free throws, and the assist column matched the highlight package — dump-offs and kickouts after he forced help with the first step. Zion Williamson added 10 points on a perfect 5-of-5 from the field in 18 minutes off the bench as New Orleans closed out a four-point road win.

What the box score shows

Fears’ final line: 16 points, three rebounds, five assists, three steals and two turnovers in 20 minutes and 18 seconds. Yves Missi had six points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Derik Queen grabbed 11 boards. Dallas got 16 apiece from Tobi Lawal and John Poulakidas but shot 35.7 percent from the field and coughed up 25 turnovers against New Orleans’ 14 steals.

Fears also sat for an on-court interview after the final horn, a short Pelicans video that closed a birthday night already defined by the crossover clip. Preseason still does not count in the standings. Nights like this set the reel coaches and scouts keep anyway.

Why it matters

Fears is still building his first full Pelicans season identity as a primary creator next to Zion and the wing group. Sixteen, five and three with a viral handle move is one clean answer on a night the club also celebrated his birthday. The regular season opens soon. Wednesday was the version of Fears New Orleans wants on the highlight loop — pressure the ball, force the help, finish the play.