The New Orleans Pelicans host the Washington Wizards on Friday night in the Smoothie King Center in a matchup of the teams in the basements of their respective conferences.
The Pelicans come in riding an 11-game losing streak, including seven straight losses at home, while the Wizards haven’t won on the road in their last 12 attempts. It’s the resistible force versus the moveable object, and one can only imagine who will come out on top.
Jose Alvarado Is Back
Pelicans fans have had little to cheer for this season, so the return of favorite Jose Alvarado is something to applaud. Alvarado has been sidelined since November 11 with a right hamstring strain, missing 23 games during his recovery. However, he says he’s ready to bring his relentless energy back to the court.
“I will be playing tomorrow for sure,” Alvarado said after the team’s Thursday practice. “No doubt. I’m excited just to put the jersey back on and go out there and go hoop, man. I finally get to just go be Jose.”
Alvarado’s return couldn’t come at a better time for a Pelicans team that remains decimated by injuries and should provide some much-needed relief in the backcourt for Dejounte Muray. Zion Williamson (hamstring), Brandon Ingram (ankle), and Karlo Matkovic (back) are all still out, while Jeremiah Robinson-Earl is questionable with an ankle sprain.
The Pelicans’ lack of depth has been apparent all season long but, Alvarado’s defensive tenacity and ability to create tempo on offense could be exactly what New Orleans needs to end its slide.
Rookie Battle: Missi vs. Sarr
One of the night’s most intriguing matchups will feature two of the NBA’s best rookies, Yves Missi of the Pelicans and Alexandre Sarr of the Wizards.
Missi, the reigning Western Conference Rookie of the Month, has surpassed all expectations for New Orleans. The 21st overall pick leads all rookies in double-doubles and total rebounds, and his ability to crash the boards and defend the paint have been bright spots in an otherwise awful season.
On the other side, Sarr, the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month and the 2nd overall pick, brings athleticism and rim protection to the Wizards. He’s averaging 11.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.8 blocks this season and is coming off a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds against the Chicago Bulls. Over his last 10 games, he’s shooting 45.7% from beyond the arc, with more than two makes per game.
Both rookies have been standouts for their respective teams, and Friday’s game will give fans a glimpse of what could become a marquee matchup for years to come.
Jonas Valančiūnas’ Homecoming
The game also marks the return of another fan favorite to New Orleans. Veteran center Jonas Valančiūnas spent three seasons with the Pelicans before being traded to Washington this past offseason. During his time in New Orleans, Valančiūnas averaged 14.6 points and 10.1 rebounds, all while appearing in 235 out of 246 games and providing stability in the frontcourt.
Valančiūnas, the subject of numerous trade rumors, has been solid for the Wizards this season, but his former teammates will be looking to make his return a losing one. His presence adds an interesting layer to a game with bigger lottery implications than those for the playoffs.
What’s at Stake?
Nothing, except for two lengthy losing streaks and ping-pong balls for the lottery. A pair of wins in this home-and-home series would give the Pelicans a winning streak however, they would also provide Washington some breathing room in the race for the league’s worst record—a distinction that comes with prime draft positioning.
For New Orleans, the focus is on just getting a win. It’s been almost a month since the Pelicans won a game and fans deserve better.
Trends and Stats
The Pelicans are averaging 112.0 points per game over their last 10 contests, but overall the Pels still rank 29th in the NBA in offense (107.0), defense (118.3), and net rating (-11.3). On the other hand, the Wizards have managed to win three of their last 10 games, with two of those victories coming against the lowly Charlotte Hornets (7-25).
New Orleans needs another strong game from Trey Murphy, who is coming off his second 30-point game of the season. Over his last five games, Murphy has averaged 25.8 points, good for 17th in the league. In his last 10 games, he’s posting averages of 24.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 1.0 steals, making Trey one of only seven players with that stat line. His continued growth is as important as any win or loss the rest of the season.
Jordan Poole has been just as hot, if not hotter. Since Dec. 7 (nine games) the former champion is averaging 25.0 points, 4.7 assists, and 1.4 steals while shooting 41.5% from beyond the three-point line. Poole scored 30 or more in three games, including Washington’s win over the Bulls. He’s made at least five three-pointers in five straight games.
The Bottom Line
Win. Please. Just win.
Most Recent Starting Lineups
| Miami Heat | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Carlton Carrington | G – Dejounte Murray |
| G – Bilal Coulibaly | G – CJ McCollum |
| F – Jordan Poole | F – Herb Jones |
| F – Justin Champagnie | F – Trey Murphy |
| C – Alexandre Sarr | C – Yves Missi |
Injuries
Washington Wizards: Marvin Bagley III (right knee sprain), Saddiq Bey (left knee ACL surgery), and Bilal Coulibaly (non-Covid illness) are OUT.
New Orleans Pelicans: Jose Alvarado (left hamstring strain) is PROBABLE. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl (left ankle sprain) is QUESTIONABLE. Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain), Karlo Matkovic (low back disc protrusion), and Zion Williamson (left hamstring strain) are OUT.
Who: New Orleans Pelicans (5–29) vs Washington Wizards (6-25)
Season Series:
- Jan. 3: Pelicans vs. Wizards
- Jan. 5: Pelicans at Wizards
Series History: The Pelicans are 21-24 versus the Washington Wizards all-time, and have won four of their last five against Washington. New Orleans swept the series last season.
Where: Smoothie King Center
When: Jan. 3, 7:00 PM CST
Where to watch: Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network, Pelicans+
Where to listen: WWL Radio 870 AM
For more content, visit HITP Sports on YouTube or HITP Sports online.
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