The New Orleans Pelicans have to be feeling good right now. How could they not? The Pels are winners of three straight and six of their last nine and look like a completely different team in January. The Utah Jazz were the latest to see just how different. After a 136-123 beatdown on Friday night, the Pelicans will aim for the two-game sweep Monday at the Smoothie King Center.
It’s easy to see what has been the biggest driver behind the team’s recent success…the return of Zion Williamson.
Since returning from a hamstring injury earlier this month, Zion has brought a spark that’s been missing all season. His numbers in Friday’s win against Utah were flat-out ridiculous: 24 points, 14 rebounds, six assists, and three blocks in just 23 minutes of game action.
Zion’s presence on the floor changes everything, so much so that Pelicans fans have begun entertaining the possibility of the team righting the ship and making a run at the play-in tournament. His ability to collapse defenses opens up shots for everyone else, and the Pelicans’ shooters are making the most of it. Since Jan. 1, the Pelicans rank fourth in the NBA in three-pointers attempted and made. That’s a major change for a team that struggled to top 30 attempts per game in October and November.
| Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Jan. | Season | |
| 3PA/Game | 31.2 | 32.8 | 35.7 | 41.8 | 35.6 |
| 3PM/Game | 10.8 | 10.8 | 12.1 | 15.3 | 12.2 |
| Total 3PM | 54 | 162 | 157 | 153 | 526 |
But it’s not just about Zion. New Orleans has also seen contributions from up and down the roster. Treey Murphy and CJ McCollum have each had their moments as scorers. Jose Alvarado is back to being a spark plug for the second unit, Dejounte Murray is playing his best basketball of the season, and the team is no longer a joke on the defensive end. The Pelicans are also increasing their physicality on the glass. Friday’s game was a perfect example, with New Orleans out-rebounding Utah 56-40 and dominating second-chance points 35-8.
Of course, the Jazz won’t roll over. Utah, though severely undermanned, fought back from a 26-point hole on Friday to cut the lead to six in the second half before New Orleans put the game away. Isaiah Collier was a bright spot for Utah, racking up a season-high 11 assists off the bench in the loss.
For the Pelicans, it’s about keeping the momentum going. Willie Green has been preaching consistency for his team, and with Zion still on a limited workload (25.6 minutes per game since his return), the rest of the roster will need to stay locked in.
But even with Zion and Yves Missi sitting out, this team is finding its rhythm. The ball is moving, the threes are falling, and the confidence is growing. Another win against the Jazz would extend the Pelicans’ longest winning streak this season to four games, their first four-game winning streak since Apr. 7-12 of last year.
Most Recent Starting Lineups
| Utah Jazz | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Collin Sexton | G – Dejounte Murray |
| G – Keyonte George | G – CJ McCollum |
| F – Svi Mykhailiuk | F – Trey Murphy |
| F – Cody Williams | F – Zion Williamson |
| C – Drew Eubanks | C – Yves Missi |
Injuries
Utah Jazz: Jordan Clarkson (left plantar fasciitis), John Collins (left hip injury management), Taylor Hendricks (right fibula fracture), Johnny Juzang (right hand fracture), Lauri Markkanen (low back spasms), and Collin Sexton (rest) are OUT.
New Orleans Pelicans: Dejounte Murray (right elbow bursitis) is PROBABLE. Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain), Herb Jones (right shoulder strain), Yves Missi (non-Covid illness), and Zion Williamson (non-Covid illness) are OUT.
Who: New Orleans Pelicans (11-32) vs Utah Jazz (10-30)
Season Series:
- Jan. 17: Pelicans def. Jazz, 136-123
- Jan. 20: Pelicans vs. Jazz
- Mar. 2: Pelicans at Jazz
Series History: The New Orleans Pelicans are 29-48 all-time against the Utah Jazz and have won three straight against them.
Where: Smoothie King Center
When: Jan. 20, 7:00 PM CST
Where to watch: Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, Pelicans+
Where to listen: WWL Radio 870 AM
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READ MORE
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