The New Orleans Pelicans are set to face off with the Atlanta Hawks in what should be a hard-fought contest as both teams navigate a wave of injuries. Seven key players are out due to various ailments, with the Pelicans missing the likes of Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, CJ McCollum, and Trey Murphy. The Hawks are also shorthanded, with Bogdan Bogdanovic, De’Andre Hunter, and Vit Krejci sidelined, limiting their options on the wing. This shortage of regular starters has forced both teams to shuffle their lineups and rely heavily on bench players to step up.
Despite these challenges, the Pelicans’ offense has been very good at The Blender, averaging 120.4 points per 100 possessions, making them one of the top-scoring teams at home. Their away performance, however, has been much different; with the Pels ranked 27th in offensive efficiency on the road. New Orleans’ ability to maintain consistent scoring will be crucial, especially given the reshuffled lineup featuring rookie Yves Missi, who made his first start in the win against Indiana.
The Hawks, meanwhile, have been productive on offense, ranking 15th in points per game (112.1), but their defensive struggles are obvious, especially with the absence of key defenders like former Pelican Dyson Daniels. Atlanta ranks 28th in points allowed per game and 30th in three-point percentage allowed, signaling potential issues against New Orleans’ shooters like Brandon Ingram and rookie Jordan Hawkins, who will be questionable for the third straight game due to back tightness.
Free throw opportunities will also play a crucial role in this matchup. Atlanta ranks second in free throws attempted per game (31.3), with Trae Young leading the charge with 10 attempts per game, placing him fourth in the league. New Orleans has done a pretty good job at limiting opponents’ free throws, allowing an average of just 19.3 attempts per game. This ability to keep the Hawks off the line will be pivotal in slowing down Atlanta’s offense.
For Atlanta, the return of Daniels would provide a much-needed defensive boost, along with his capabilities as a secondary playmaker and floor spacer. Zaccharie Risacher, the top pick from this year’s draft, continues to struggle with shooting but has shown his potential in other areas. Jalen Johnson, another bright spot, has contributed well despite a tough night against the Sacramento Kings, where he posted 14 points, nine assists, and five rebounds.
In the frontcourt, Atlanta veterans Clint Capela and Onyeka Okongwu will look to leverage their experience against New Orleans’ rookie center Missi, who has been impressive in rebounding and shot-blocking. The Hawks’ bench also brings firepower, with Garrison Mathews, who recently scored 23 points against the Kings, and Keaton Wallace, who has performed well on both ends.
Ultimately, if Hawkins is unavailable, the Pelicans may struggle with spacing and outside shooting, placing more pressure on Zion Williamson and Ingram to shoulder the scoring load. In this injury-plagued battle, depth and resilience could prove to be decisive for whichever team can get the most out of its limited roster.
Most Recent Starting Lineups
| Atlanta Hawks | New Orleans Pelicans |
| G – Trae Young | G – Jose Alvarado |
| G – Jalen Johnson | G – Jordan Hawkins |
| F – Zaccharie Risacher | F – Brandon Ingram |
| F – Larry Nance Jr. | F – Zion Williamson |
| C – Clint Capela | C – Yves Missi |
Injuries
New Orleans Pelicans: Jordan Hawkins (lower back spasms) is QUESTIONABLE. Herbert Jones (right shoulder strain), CJ McCollum (right adductor soreness), Trey Murphy III (right hamstring strain), and Dejounte Murray (left hand fracture) are OUT.
Atlanta Hawks: Dyson Daniels (hip) is QUESTIONABLE. Bogdan Bogdanovic (hamstring), Kobe Bufkin (shoulder), De’Andre Hunter (knee), and Vit Krejci (adductor) are OUT.
Who: New Orleans Pelicans (3-3) vs Atlanta Hawks (2-4)
Season Series:
- Nov. 3: Pelicans vs Hawks
- Dec. 2: Pelicans @ Hawks
Series History: The Pelicans are 22-23 all-time vs. the Atlanta Hawks. The teams have split their series in each of the last three seasons. New Orleans won the most recent meeting, 116-107 in Atlanta.
Where: Smoothie King Center
When: Nov. 3, 6:00 PM CT
Where to watch: Pelicans+, GCSEN
Where to listen: WWL Radio 870 AM
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