Age: 25
NBA experience: Three seasons (three with Pelicans)
Games played/games started: 76/76
Key stats: 11.0 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.4 spg, 49.8 FG percentage, 41.8 three-point percentage, 86.7 FT percentage
Pelicans guard Herb Jones’ 2023-24 NBA season overview
If you had asked New Orleans fans and media members prior to the season which Pelicans player had the best chance to emerge as a 50/40/90 shooter, answers such as Trey Murphy and CJ McCollum would’ve been extremely common. After all, the pair of offensive threats are among the NBA’s elite perimeter marksmen. As it turned out, Jones came the closest among the Pelicans to achieving the rare statistical feat, turning in splits (see above) of 50/42/87. The latter percentages represented gigantic improvements for Jones, who had finished at 47/34/76 in 2022-23.
Asked during April 30 exit interviews how he was able to make that leap shooting-wise, the often-understated Jones replied, “Continue to trust the work. Staying in the gym, continuing to play with a ton of confidence.”
Jones again established himself as a bona fide First-Team All-Defense candidate, spearheading New Orleans to a No. 6 ranking in defensive efficiency for a second straight season. That led to his second playoff trip in three seasons, though a 4-0 sweep vs. Oklahoma City meant a difficult close to Year 3.
“I think everybody’s a little disappointed in the way things ended, but I also think we did improve, competed and played really hard this year,” he said. “You’ve got to be OK with going out and putting forth your best effort, and coming up short.
“As long as we continue to work, I think the sky’s the limit. We’ve got to come back in the summer, continue to work hard and continue to build on what we’ve been building.”
Herb Jones' Top Plays | 2023‑24 NBA Season Highlights
Herb Jones' Pelicans Podcast recap
Team reporter Erin Summers recaps New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones' 2023-24 NBA season.
Herb Jones' per-game stats from the 2023-24 NBA season
| GP | GS | MIN | FG% | 3P% | FT% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herb Jones | 76 | 76 | 30.5 | 49.8% | 41.8% | 86.7% | 3.6 | 2.6 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 11 |
Photos: Herb Jones 2023‑24 Season in Review
1 / 25OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA - APRIL 21: Herbert Jones #5 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder in game one of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at the Paycom Center on April 21, 2024 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
Herb Jones by the numbers
12
Team-leading charges drawn by Jones. Via NBA.com’s hustle stats section, he also led the Pelicans in deflections (195), defensive loose balls recovered (29) and contested three-point shots (257), some of which he also blocked.
114
Jones three-pointers made this season. He sank a total of 113 combined over the previous two campaigns (57 as a rookie, then 56 in Year 2).
89.7
Jones percentage from the foul line in home games, perhaps partly related to him spending extra time shooting in the Blender on non-game nights. He made 70 of his 78 foul shots at home.
Herb Jones’ three most notable games
#1, Feb. 22, New Orleans 127, Houston 105
The Rockets were a thorn in the sides of the Pelicans early in 2023-24, but Jones tormented the Southwest Division foe by coming out of the All-Star break with a season-best seven steals, along with 17 points, five rebounds and four assists.
#2, Jan. 23, New Orleans 153, Utah 124
By now, you know all about “Not On Herb.” This was “not-missing-a-shot Herb.” Jones factored into the Pelicans’ highest-scoring game in team history by going 8/9 from the field, 4/4 on threes and 2/2 from the foul line in his 22-point night.
#3, Dec 4, New Orleans 127, Sacramento 117
The Pelicans went 6-0 against the Kings, including advancing to the In-Season Tournament semifinals with this victory. It marked Jones’ season high in scoring (23 points). He added five boards, five assists and two blocks.
Herb Jones’ player participation report
After appearing in 76 regular season games, Jones has now been on the floor for 89 percent of New Orleans’ contests over his three pro seasons (220 of 246 possible tilts). Counting the NBA postseason, he was only sidelined for three of the club’s final 78 contests. He finished second on the Pelicans in games played, behind only Jonas Valanciunas (82).