Pelicans Head To The Big Apple To Battle The Knicks In Key Matchup Of Playoff Hopefuls
The New Orleans Pelicans (34-24) head to the Big Apple to face the New York Knicks (35-23) Tuesday evening at the World Famous Madison Square Garden. New Orleans is on a two-game losing streak after dropping their last two at home. The Knicks beat the Pistons on Monday night, their first win at home since losing three straight in New York. New Orleans hopes to get some reinforcements back for the matchup.
Naji Marshall returns after serving a one-game suspension for his involvement in a brawl with the Miami Heat on Friday night. In that same game, guard CJ McCollum missed the second half after injuring his ankle in the second quarter. McCollum missed Sunday's loss to the Chicago Bulls and is listed on the injury report as questionable to play.
Oct 28, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) is cornered by New Orleans Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr. (22) during the first quarter at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Dobbins-USA TODAY Sports
New York is missing key players of their own, with Julius Randle and OG Anunoby out for an extended period of time. Jalen Brunson leads the team in scoring with 27.7 points and 6.7 assists per game. The Knicks hang their hat on the defensive side of the ball, where they rank Top 10 in opponent's points per game and defensive efficiency. The Pelicans have scored just 106 points in both games since the All-Star game.
New Orleans welcomed back Brandon Ingram on Sunday after he missed the first two games after the All-Star break with an illness. Ingram started strong, scoring 18 points in the first half, but scored just four points in the second half. If McCollum can't play, Ingram again will need to be a primary ballhandler with the suspension of Jose Alvarado for three games. Ingram leads the Pelicans in assists this season with 5.8. These teams played earlier this season, when Ingram led the Pelicans to victory, scored 27 points, and dished out seven assists.
Former Pelicans fan favorite Josh Hart is thriving with an expanded role because of the Knicks' injuries. Hart has averaged 19 points and nine rebounds in his last three games. Hart had the game-winning basket on Monday night against the Detroit Pistons. New York is 3-2 in games decided by three points or less, while the Pelicans are 1-6 in the same scenario. The Knicks are 20-9 at home this season.
New Orleans is desperate for a victory to avoid sliding further down the standings. The Pelicans are currently No. 6 in the Western Conference, just a half-game ahead of the seventh-place Sacramento Kings. New Orleans hopes to avoid the NBA Play-In Tournament, which they've played in the last two seasons.
