The New Orleans Pelicans return to the Smoothie King Center on Saturday night, kicking off a five-game homestand against the New York Knicks. It’s been a rough stretch for the Pels, but with a chance to reset on their home court, they’ll look to turn things around after dropping five straight (two in a row in The Blender).
Pelicans Battered by Injuries
Injuries remain the dominant story for the Pelicans. Zion Williamson (hamstring) and Brandon Ingram (ankle) are still out, and they’re joined on the sidelines by Jose Alvarado (hamstring) and Karlo Matkovic (back). Daniel Theis is questionable due to personal reasons.
Despite all the absences, rookie Yves Missi has been stepping up. The 6’11” center is averaging 9.3 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks per game. Missi has seven double-doubles this season and has already posted numbers that place him among the best rookies in franchise history.
Jordan Hawkins, who’s back after missing eight games, sees the homestand as a key moment for the team. “January’s a grind, so having a stretch at home like this is huge,” Hawkins said. “It’s a chance to regroup and give the fans something to cheer about.”
The Offense Needs a Spark
It’s no secret the Pelicans are struggling offensively. They rank 29th in the league in offensive efficiency, managing just 106.5 points per 100 possessions. A big part of the problem? Dejounte Murray hasn’t been the player they hoped for.
Murray’s putting up 16.4 points per game, but his shooting splits are rough, including just 29% from beyond the three-point line. Worse, the team’s offense actually improves when he’s off the floor. With Murray on, the Pelicans post an offensive rating of 102.6, but that jumps to 108.3 when he sits.
The Pelicans’ point guard is turning it over a career-worst 4.6 times per 36 minutes and has 20 giveaways over his last three games. For a player brought in to stabilize the backcourt, the results have been very disappointing.
Defensive Slippage
If the offense has been bad, the defense hasn’t been much better. The Pelicans are 28th in defensive efficiency, allowing 118.3 points per 100 possessions. For context, only Washington and Utah have been worse, and the Jazz are flirting with historically bad numbers.
Murray leads the team with 2.0 steals per game and knows the team’s defense has to tighten up. “Defense is all about effort and focus,” Murray said. “We’ve got to lock in, stay in front of our guys, and help each other out.”
That’ll be critical against a Knicks squad with the league’s second-best offense. New York moves the ball well (9th in assists) and lights it up from deep, ranking second in three-point percentage (.396).
Karl-Anthony Towns (25.0) and Jalen Brunson (24.6) are among the NBA’s top scoring duos.
Knicks Rolling Into Town
The Knicks are riding a four-game road win streak, fresh off a 133-107 blowout of the Timberwolves. Towns led the charge with a monster 32-point, 20-rebound performance. Brunson has been steady as ever, while Mikal Bridges torched the Pelicans for 31 points in their last meeting.
That December 1 matchup was a nightmare for New Orleans. The Knicks shot 53.4% from the field, knocked down 14 three-pointers, and dished out 27 assists while dominating the Pelicans in every phase of the game. Their ball movement and efficiency were on full display, with Bridges leading the way and five other Knicks finishing in double figures.
New York’s three-point shooting is a problem for everyone, and the Pelicans will need to be much sharper on the perimeter to avoid another beatdown. The Knicks hit 14.4 threes per game and have multiple players who can get hot from deep.
Bottom Line
The Pelicans need to come out with some energy and urgency in this one. “It’s about pride and competing,” Murray said. “We’ve got to play together and fight every possession.”
Things don’t get easier for the Pelicans, who will face the Denver Nuggets on Sunday before hosting the Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, and Los Angeles Clippers to close out the calendar year. This quintet is a combined 33 games above .500 (84-51).
Most Recent Starting Lineups
| New York Knicks | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Jalen Brunson | G – Dejounte Murray |
| G – Mikal Bridges | G – CJ McCollum |
| F – OG Anunoby | F – Herb Jones |
| F – Precious Achiuwa | F – Trey Murphy |
| C – Karl-Anthony Towns | C – Yves Missi |
Injuries
New York Knicks: Mitchell Robinson (ankle) is OUT.
New Orleans Pelicans: Daniel Theis (personal reasons) is QUESTIONABLE. Jose Alvarado (left hamstring strain), Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain), Karlo Matkovic (low back spasm), and Zion Williamson (left hamstring strain) are OUT.
Who: New Orleans Pelicans (5–23) vs New York Knicks (17-10)
Season Series:
- Dec. 1: Knicks def. Pelicans, 118-85
- Dec. 21: Pelicans vs. Knicks
Series History: The Pelicans are 24-22 all-time against the New York Knicks. New Orleans had won three straight against New York prior to its loss earlier this month.
Where: Smoothie King Center
When: Dec. 21, 7:00 PM CST
Where to watch: Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, Pelicans+
Where to listen: WWL Radio 870 AM
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