Pelicans Face Thunder After Latest Injury News Hits Like Lightning
Sunday was anything but super for fans of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Executive Vice-president of Basketball Operations David Griffin announced that All-Star forward Zion Williamson will be sidelined longer than expected after suffering a setback in rehabbing his injured right hamstring.
Williamson has missed the Pels' last 20 games and 28 overall this season. New Orleans is 17-12 with Zion in the lineup, 12-16 without him (6-14 over the last 20).
Rookie guard Dyson Daniels (right ankle sprain) is also out for the Pelicans during this two-game road trip, which ends in Los Angeles against the Lakers on Wednesday. CJ McCollum (right ankle sprain) is listed as questionable.
That will make it all the more difficult for New Orleans, which must contend with one of the NBA's best guards in the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
SGA is the league's fifth-leading scorer, averaging a career-high 31 points per game while shooting better than 51% from the floor.
In two games against the Pelicans, both losses, he's posted averages of 37.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists.
The Thunder are at home, have won three of their last four, and are 12-7 since Jan. 1.
One of their biggest areas of improvement has been in perimeter shooting. OKC has been converting more than 15 three point attempts per game and is shooting almost 45% from beyond the line over the last four games in particular.
Meanwhile the Pelicans have gone 6-15 during that same time and have lost six straight on the road.
Brandon Ingram will have to shoulder the load once again for New Orleans. Fortunately, Ingram seems to have found his rhythm since his return from injury.
Ingram has scored 25 points or more in each of the Pelicans' last four games, averaging 29.0 points per game while grabbing five rebounds and handing out seven assists.
Defensively, the Pelicans have to do a better job of shutting down penetration into the lane and stop giving up points in the paint.
In their loss to Cleveland in primetime on Friday night, the Pelicans surrendered 70 points inside, nearly 20 more than the Cavaliers average on the year.
Nov 28, 2022; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (5) drives to the basket against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Without Williamson providing a scoring advantage down low, Willie Green can't afford to watch as opponents score easy bucket after easy bucket.
Perhaps Josh Richardson, who should make his debut in a Pelicans uniform tonight, can provide a boost to the perimeter defense.
New Orleans has won the first two against OKC this season, but only by a combined seven points. This team can't take this game for granted.
One thing is certain, the Pelicans need this win. With only 25 games remaining on the schedule, each victory is more precious and each defeat more costly.
New Orleans Pelicans (29-28) vs Oklahoma City Thunder (27-28)
Time: 7:00 PM CST
Place: Paycom Center
Watch: Bally Sports NO
Listen: WRNO 99.5FM
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