Category: Pelicans

Coach Alvin Gentry pleased with Pelicans’ youth stepping up in win over Warriors

New Orleans Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry is optimistic the burn his team’s young core is getting in the wake of multiple injuries to the team’s veterans will contribute to a winning culture long-term.

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The win might have come against the league-worst Golden State Warriors, but New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry was pleased with how his team responded just the same.

Gutting out their fourth win of the season with a late offensive outburst despite not having more than half their roster available due to injury, the team came away with a 108-100 victory through the contributions of both their veteran backcourt and a solid starting debut by rookie big man Jaxson Hayes.

Gentry acknowledged the extraordinary play of the Warriors’ young core who have been doing much of the team’s heavy lifting, particularly forward Eric Paschall, who logged his second 30-point outing of the season in the Warrior’s loss.

“They [have] a bunch of guys that are trying to establish [themselves] in the league,” he offered (via the New Orleans Pelicans). “But I thought we did everything that we needed to [get] the win. You know, J.J. [Redick] made a big shot … Jrue [Holiday] made a couple of big shots … to come away with a win is what we wanted to do and that’s what we accomplished.”

Both teams had off nights in terms of efficiency, and the Pels had trouble with the Warrior’s frontcourt, particularly Paschall — a fact not lost on Gentry. “Obviously, we didn’t shoot the ball very good,” he added, referencing the team’s 41.6 % shooting from the floor on the night.

“We still continue to struggle with keeping the ball out of the paint. “We’ve got to do a much better job,”, he added.

The Pelicans coach saw a lot of positive growth for the mostly-younger players who were able to step up and provide quality minutes in the wake of so many veterans being out hurt, especially Hayes (10 points and boards apiece with 3 blocks), forward Nicolo Melli (16 points and 5 rebounds) and guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker (19 points, 5 boards and 4 assists).

“I don’t think anything can take the place of experience of being in the game,” noted the New Orleans coach. “Learning from your mistakes or just figuring out what you can do to help the team.”

Gentry is optimistic the win is helping to lay a foundation for success once the team’s more seasoned players are able to return to action. With Lonzo Ball (hip), Brandon Ingram (knee), Derrick Favors (back), Jahlil Okafor (ankle), Frank Jackson (neck) and Josh Hart (knee) all out for the short term and rookie phenom Zion Wilson out until at least mid-December, the trio of healthy rookies may yet see some burn over the Pels’ next few games.

“Hopefully, this is going to be something that helps us down the road,” explained Gentry, “because when we do get healthy and get all the players back, then I think our depth will help even more because these guys will be put in a situation where they’ve got to play 25, 35 minutes.”

“At the end of the day, you have to be out there,” he added “You have to experience what it’s like in rotation, what it’s like setting the screen and rolling to the basket and the decisions that you have to make.”

With a tough west coast trip ahead after Tuesday’s home game against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Pelicans may have to settle for mostly moral victories in the coming weeks. But should Gentry’s suspicions about the value of live game action prove correct, the future of the team ought to be the brighter for it.

Lonzo Ball among nine Pelicans listed on injury report vs. Warriors

The Pelicans have half of their roster on their injury report.

The New Orleans Pelicans have ruled out Lonzo Ball for the fifth consecutive game as the 22-year-old point guard continues to deal with an adductor strain. Ball has been sidelined since Nov. 9.

The Pelicans also announced that Josh Hart, Jahlil Okafor, Zion Williamson and Darius Miller will sit out of Sunday’s game against the Golden State Warriors. Meanwhile, Brandon Ingram and Derrick Favors are listed as doubtful. In total, the Pelicans have nine players on their injury report, including Frank Jackson and JJ Redick, who are both listed as questionable.

Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry has rolled out nine different starting lineups this season as a result of the team’s injury struggles. On Saturday, Gentry started Jackson, Jrue Holiday, E’Twaun Moore, Kendrick Williams and Derrick Favors.

The Pelicans have a number of problems with their roster that have led to their disappointing 3-9 start, but injuries have kept them from making the adjustments they need to fix them. Let’s hope that the team can get healthy before playoffs are too far out of reach, assuming that’s already not the case.

Dwyane Wade trolls New Orleans Pelicans over injury report

Dwyane Wade took a moment to toss a friendly jab at the New Orleans Pelicans over their injury report before Saturday’s game.

The New Orleans Pelicans have a growing injury report. Lonzo Ball is still out after suffering a groin strain nearly two weeks ago, Josh Hart and Jahlil Okafor recently joined him and JJ Redick was the most-recent surprise exclusion for Saturday’s game.

That quartet has joined Zion Williamson and Darius Miller, players with varying forms of long-term injuries, to form more than a starting five of injured players on the bench. Brandon Ingram also joined the parade on Saturday after being listed as questionable heading into the night.

All of it added up to a rather hilariously long list of players out on the night, which Heat beat writer Ira Winderman noted prior to Saturday evening’s game.

Dwyane Wade, who spent many, many years with the Heat on multiple stops during his long career before retiring at the end of last season, is familiar with the Miami nightlife and couldn’t resist a joke at the Pelicans’ expense.

Ironically, the injuries the Pelicans suffered may have led to a longer night out in the clubs than would be the case if the players had played in the game. It’s a similar reason, though, that the Lakers and Clippers often have success against sides who have a night off in Los Angeles prior to a contest with one of the sides.

Jokes aside, the Pelicans are in an injury crisis that only got worse on Saturday with Derrick Favors and Frank Jackson both leaving the contest against the Heat with injuries.

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Pelicans vs. Heat Recap: The good, the bad and the Ball

Despite shooting 45.7 percent from beyond the arc and connecting on 16 three-pointers on the night, the New Orleans Pelicans fell to the Miami Heat on the road on Saturday, 109-94.

Despite shooting 45.7 percent from beyond the arc and connecting on 16 three-pointers on the night, the New Orleans Pelicans fell to the Miami Heat on the road on Saturday, 109-94.

The Good: The fight

On one hand, it’s long become repetitive to blame injuries for the Pelicans’ slow start this season. But on Saturday, with JJ Redick, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and Darius Miller all already out, Derrick Favors and Frank Jackson each suffered injuries and played eight and five minutes, respectively.

And still, the Pelicans were in the contest late because of some timely three-point shooting. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, E’Twaun Moore and Nicolo Melli all his three-pointers in a stretch of the fourth to pull the guests back into the game. Moore and Kenrich Williams each played 39 minutes and Holiday, who has battled injuries this season, played 36 minutes.

Honorable mentions: Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jaxson Hayes’ alley-oop in the fourth

The Bad: Turnovers and late defense

There were a couple particular reasons why New Orleans couldn’t win on the night. One of them was mentioned in injuries. Another was the 18 turnovers that Miami turned into 21 points. The other was fourth-quarter defense.

While the Pelicans were bombing away in the fourth, hitting 8-of-12 threes in the period, Miami shot 71.4 percent from the field and hit four of their seven threes. Single-game and single-quarter defensive ratings aren’t great without context but the Pelicans finished with a fourth-quarter defensive rating of 136.0, which matches the eye test.

Honorable mentions: Injuries, injuries and injuries

The Ball: A growing injury report

While Lonzo Ball is injured, he’s being joined by a growing list of players. A host of Pelicans sat out on the night, though some may be a precaution with New Orleans playing the second part of a back-to-back against Golden State on Sunday.

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Pelicans vs. Heat Preview: Sprains and strains and soreness, oh my!

With JJ Redick, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart out for Saturday, the Pelicans’ depth will be tested once again against the Miami Heat.

Who: New Orleans Pelicans at Miami Heat

When: Saturday, Nov. 16, 8:00 p.m ET

Where: AmericanAirlines Arena

How to watch: Fox Sports New Orleans

Each time the injuries seem like they have reached the endpoint with the Pelicans, another name mysteriously finds its way onto the injury report at the last minute. Against the Clippers on Thursday, Josh Hart was ruled out last-minute and on Saturday, after not appearing on the injury report prior to Friday, JJ Redick will join the growing list of players to miss a game this season after being ruled out with a sprained toe.

Redick joins Jahlil Okafor, Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart as scratches for Saturday’s game, further testing the Pelicans’ depth. Without Redick and Hart, one of the young guards in Frank Jackson or Nickeil Walker-Alexander will likely start alongside Jrue Holiday with E’Twaun Moore anchoring the other wing spot.

In Miami, the Pelicans will face one of the best sides in the Eastern Conference. The Heat are 8-3 on the year, tied with the Milwaukee Bucks and Toronto Raptors for the third-best record in the East. Their net rating of +5.8 is fifth in the league with a defense ranked third overall.

It’ll be as difficult a task as any for the Pelicans, who have proven to be a tough out for virtually every opponent regardless who is active. Saturday may present the toughest challenge, though.

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Lonzo Ball will sit vs. Miami Heat, miss fourth straight game

The New Orleans Pelicans will be without Lonzo Ball once again, this time against the Miami Heat. Ball has missed the last four games.

The New Orleans Pelicans announced that Lonzo Ball will not play against the Miami Heat on Saturday. Ball was previously listed as questionable.

Ball has now missed four consecutive games spanning over the last week with an adductor strain — more commonly known as a groin injury. While it’s possible that Ball will play on Sunday — the second night of the team’s back-to-back — there has been little-to-no update on his progress, or how close he is to returning.

Ball’s status will be updated on Sunday morning.

Jahlil Okafor and JJ Redick will also sit out of Saturday evening’s matchup with the Heat. Okafor is dealing with the left ankle sprain that kept him out of Thursday’s game against the LA Clippers, while Redick is nursing a toe sprain,

Brandon Ingram — the team’s leading scorer— is listed as questionable for Saturday’s game. Ingram has missed the last two games with right knee soreness.

While starting lineups haven’t been announced yet, it’s likely Frank Jackson will start in the backcourt alongside Jrue Holiday with E’twaun Moore, Kenrich Williams and Derrick Favors rounding out the starting five, assuming Ingram doesn’t play. Official updates on the starting lineup and Ingram’s status will provided closer to tip-off.

The Pelicans and Heat will tip-off at 7 p.m. CT.

Brandon Ingram, Jahlil Okafor to sit vs. Clippers

The two former Duke Blue Devils will sit against the Clippers on Thursday.

The New Orleans Pelicans announced that former Duke Blue Devils and former top-three picks Brandon Ingram and Jahlil Okafor will be sidelined for their matchup with the LA Clippers on Thursday night.

Ingram is dealing with the right knee soreness that kept him out of Monday’s game against the Houston Rockets. Ingram leads the team in points per game with a 25.9 points per game on 53.7% percent from the field, including 46.9% from behind the arc. He’s also contributing 7.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game.

Meanwhile, Jahlil Okafor is nursing a right ankle sprain. Okafor is averaging 9.9 points per game on a career-high 64.8% shooting from the field.

Okafor and Ingram join Josh Hart, Lonzo Ball, Darius Miller and Zion Williamson on the injury report. Head coach Alvin Gentry will roll out a starting lineup of Jrue Holiday, JJ Redick, E’Twaun Moore, Kenrich Williams and Derrick Favors.

This mark’s Moore’s first start of the regular season. Moore started 36 games last season.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

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Brandon Ingram to be game-time decision against Clippers

Brandon Ingram is expected to be a game-time decision in the Pelicans showdown with the Los Angeles Clippers with a knee injury.

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After being a late scratch in the Pelicans’ contest against the Rockets on Monday with a knee injury, Brandon Ingram is expected to be a game-time decision on Thursday at home against the Los Angeles Clippers. Officially, the Pelicans list Ingram as questionable on the injury report.

Ingram addressed the media after taking part in individual drills in practice on Wednesday and seemed optimistic about a potential return, calling the injury “not a big deal.”

I feel good. Just continuing to listen to the trainers and the doctors and trying to come in here and see how I feel every day.

Ingram said that he hyper-extended his knee at the end of the Pelicans’ win over Charlotte and the pain had lingered in the days between games. After taking part in the warm-up against the Rockets, Ingram was again bothered by his knee and sat out the contest.

On the season, Ingram is averaging 25.9 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 53.7 percent from the field and 46.9 percent from beyond the arc. Injuries, though, have nagged Ingram throughout his career as he’s played in just 59 and 52 games in the last two seasons, respectively.

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Pelicans vs. Clippers Preview: Injuries tell tale of two sides on different paths

The New Orleans Pelicans welcome in the Los Angeles Clippers for Paul George’s potential season debut in an anticipated clash.

Who: New Orleans Pelicans vs. Los Angeles Clippers

When: Thursday, Nov. 14, 8:00 p.m ET

Where: Smoothie King Center

How to watch: Fox Sports New Orleans

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While the New Orleans Pelicans continue to struggle with injuries as Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart each will be out on Thursday, the Los Angeles Clippers enter on an entirely different injury-related path. After going through the opening weeks of the season undermanned, Paul George is expected to make his Clipper debut on Thursday, offering another weapon to one of the sides expected to be amongst the conference’s elites.

George’s status is still officially uncertain for the night but whether it’s Thursday, Saturday or into next week, George will add to the Clippers’ loaded roster. New Orleans, meanwhile, continues to lose players at an alarming rate this season. Hart is the latest edition in the injury report, joining Ball on the sidelines tonight while Brandon Ingram could join them with his status still uncertain. With Zion Williamson still out, the Pelicans are quickly developing a starting five on the injury report that could rival the one put on the court.

There remains the possibility that George doesn’t play on Thursday. With Kawhi Leonard not playing back-to-backs this season and having played on Wednesday, the possibility also remains neither are on the court on Thursday.

The depth the Clippers have, though, can help them absorb the lack of George and Leonard on the court, though they’ve struggled in Leonard’s absence this season. In 236 minutes without Leonard on the floor this season, the Clippers have an offensive rating of 101.3, a defensive rating of 109.3 and a net rating of -8.0. That would rank them the 28th-best offense and the 19th-ranked defense without Leonard this season.

The opportunities will be available with or without George on the court. Whether an undermanned Pelicans team can take advantage of those opportunities will be the key tonight.

Lonzo Ball to miss third straight game, Josh Hart out vs. Clippers

For the third straight game, Lonzo Ball will be sidelined by a groin injury while Josh Hart will also miss Thursday’s game against the Clippers.

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Both Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart will be out for the Pelicans’ upcoming battle with the Los Angeles Clippers, the Pelicans announced on Wednesday.

While New Orleans has remained positive about Ball’s groin injury and his recovery, Thursday will mark the third consecutive game the guard will miss. Ball initially suffered the injury in the Pelicans’ loss in Brooklyn but he played through the injury Friday against Toronto before sitting out on Saturday at Charlotte.

Hart, meanwhile, suffered left ankle and knee sprains during the team’s loss to Houston on Monday after an awkward collision near mid-court; Hart had surgery over the summer on his right knee.

Unlike the Pelicans, the Clippers will be adding to their arsenal on Thursday with Paul George expected to make his season debut for the Clippers in New Orleans. With Kawhi Leonard not playing back-to-backs this season, his status versus Houston on Wednesday is up in the air.

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