Head Coach: Alvin Gentry (5th Season)
Record: 28-36 (10th in Western Conference)
All-Stars: 1 (Brandon Ingram – 1st)
Scoring Leaders: Brandon Ingram (24.3 PPG), Zion Williamson (23.6 PPG), Jrue Holiday (19.6 PPG)
Rebounding Leaders: Derrick Favors (9.9 RPG), Williamson (6.8 RPG), Josh Hart (6.5 RPG)
Assists Leaders: Lonzo Ball (7.0 APG), Holiday (6.9 APG), Ingram (4.3 APG)
Offense: 116.2 Points Scored/Game (T-4th)
Defense: 117.0 Points Allowed/Game (27th)
Key Wins: Nuggets x2 (122-107, Oct. 31; 112-100, Dec. 25), Clippers (132-127, Nov. 14), Jazz (138-132, OT, Jan. 16), Celtics (123-108, Jan. 26), Heat (110-104, Mar. 6), Trail Blazers x4 (115-104, Nov. 19; 102-94, Dec. 23; 138-117, Feb. 11; 128-115, Feb. 21), Rockets (127-112, Dec. 29), Grizzlies x2 (126-116, Jan. 20; 139-111, Jan. 31)
Season Summary: The Pelicans are full of young talent with the likes of Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Lonzo Ball but, due to injuries, did not start off as fast as they would have liked in the West. Jrue Holiday, Ball, & Ingram missed at least 8 games while rookie sensation Williamson only participated in 19 of the team’s 64 games. But the Pelicans are now healthy and have won 8 of their last 13 games prior to the hiatus, which puts them in good shape to chase down the No. 8 seed in the West.
The Pelicans are sitting 3.5 games back from Memphis for the West’s final playoff spot with the Trail Blazers 0.5 games ahead of the Pelicans as well. The Pelicans can put up points with the best of them, ranking 4th in total offense and operating at the second-fastest pace in the NBA. New Orleans pulls down 11.2 offensive rebounds per game, good for 2nd in the league and providing plenty of second chance scoring opportunities. The budding chemistry between Ball and Williamson was on display down the stretch, with the pair combining to complete multiple eye-popping alley-oops. Williamson had scored 20+ points in 14 of his last 15 games before the season paused.
Memorable Moment: The return of Zion Williamson. After missing 41 games and returning Jan. 22 vs. Spurs, the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NBA Draft reeled off 17 straight 4th-quarter points in a span of 3 minutes and 8 seconds. He became the only player in NBA history to go 4-for-4 from deep in his debut. He scored 22 points in 18 minutes in a 121-117 loss to the Spurs, but that performance gave New Orleans excitement and hope for the rest of the season and their future.
Player To Watch: Brandon Ingram – Zion Williamson is having an outstanding rookie season, but Ingram is in consideration for the Kia’s Most Improved Player Award. Involved in the trade for Anthony Davis, Ingram has emerged as the star the Pelicans needed from the deal. Averaging 24.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, and 4.3 APG while hitting on 38.7% of his triples, Ingram was named to his first All-Star appearance this season and is the go-to scorer for the Pelicans. Ingram has vastly improved his game from last season and is taking the steps necessary to become a star. The next step would be to lead the Pelicans to the playoffs and grab the eighth and final spot in the West as he looks to seamlessly mesh with a now-healthy Williamson.
