As of 7:00 PM Central Time, basketball is back in the Crescent City.
The New Orleans Pelicans will open their four-game preseason slate inside the Smoothie King Center as they host the Orlando Magic. This will be the only chance for local fans to see the Pelicans in person until the team’s regular season home debut against the New York Knicks on Oct. 28.
Head coach Willie Green told the media on Monday that his starting lineup of CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, and Jonas Valanciunas will open the game together.
It’s the first time that all five will appear on the court together since last November. One of the most well-known stats regarding last season’s Pelicans is that the starters only played 10 games together (6-4). With a new offense led by James Borrego and so little on-court time as a unit, getting this group some time together in game situations could be vital to the team having a solid start to this critical season.
However, Green doesn’t want to rush his guys into the fray. He will limit their minutes in the opener with plans to gradually increase them as they get closer to the regular season.
“Theyāll have limited minutes,ā Green said of his starters after practice Monday. āAll of those guys will be under 20 minutes. We will try to ramp them up. I donāt know if weāll get to 30 minutes or not (by the Oct. 17 exhibition finale). Weāll read it and see how guys feel. Weāve got three games in five days, so weāve got to be aware of that, but weāll definitely try to get them going.ā
Green expects as many as 14 players to see playing time on Tuesday night as he tries to work in returnees like Dyson Daniels, Kira Lewis Jr., and Naji Marshall, alongside newcomers Jordan Hawkins, Cody Zeller, and EJ Liddell, among others.
The Pelicans will be without Trey Murphy III (knee), Larry Nance Jr. (ankle), Jose Alvarado (ankle), and Liam Robbins (leg).
The Magic bring one of the league’s exciting young teams to the Crescent City, anchored by last season’s Rookie of the Year, Paolo Banchero.
Orlando has been somewhat of a nemesis for the Pelicans. The Magic swept the season series last year and have won 8 of 10 against New Orleans dating back to 2019.
After the disappointing end to last season, and the cloud of uncertainty that hangs over the Pelicans’ duo of Williamson and Ingram, the Pels have an opportunity to send a message with this game.
Even in those limited minutes, will the starters move the ball crisply and work for the best possible shot? Will the defensive communication, which placed the Pelicans among the NBA’s best defensive teams a year ago, continue into this season?
And of course, just how ready do Williamson and Ingram look for the regular season?
Following tonight’s contest, the Pelicans will practice in New Orleans on Wednesday before traveling to Birmingham for Thursday’s game against the Houston Rockets.
| New Orleans Pelicans | Orlando Magic |
| G – CJ McCollum | G- Markell Fultz |
| G – Herbert Jones | G – Gary Harris |
| F – Brandon Ingram | F – Franz Wagner |
| F- Zion Williamson | F- Paolo Banchero |
| C- Jonas Valanciunas | C- Wendell Carter Jr. |
Who:Ā Orlando Magic (0-0) vs New Orleans Pelicans (0-0)
When:Ā October 10, 7:00 PM CT
Where to watch:Ā Bally Sports New Orleans
Where to listen:Ā WRNO 99.5
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- How Deep Does Naji āThe Knifeā Marshall Cut For the Pelicans This Season?
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Am I the only one who thinks that Seabron has a higher ceiling than Kyra Lewis?
I just don’t see who is going to play defense for this team