Age: 30
NBA experience: Eight seasons (two with Pelicans)
Games played/games started: 65/1
Key stats: 6.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 61.0 FG percentage
Pelicans forward/center Larry Nance Jr.'s 2022-23 NBA season overview
Merely a middle-of-the-pack finish at the defensive end was considered a reasonable goal at the start of this season, but New Orleans zoomed well past that modest target, placing sixth in efficiency (112.0 points allowed per 100 possessions). For Nance, that was reason to be pleased with one aspect of the Pelicans’ performance. “Personally, I take immense pride in that,” the eight-year NBA veteran said during his April 14 exit interview. “That’s where I hang my hat. Injuries and our offense are where we kind of stumbled a bit, but defensively I’m really proud of that. We’ve got some very good ballhawks on this team, the head of the snake being Herb Jones. Bringing in (Josh Richardson), Naji (Marshall), Dyson (Daniels), there are some really good on-ball defenders. It makes it a whole lot easier to play back-line defense when you know you’ve got guys pressuring the ball out top.” Nance was also instrumental in the club’s improvement, relying on his versatility and mobility to handle a range of frontcourt matchups. In December, he appeared to be headed to the NBA playoffs in consecutive years for the first time in his career (he previously made it in 2018, 2022), but the Pelicans couldn’t sustain their hot start amid injuries, including a late-season ankle sprain that hampered Nance. “That stretch we had where we were on top of the West and kind of kicking (butt) put the league on notice for a little bit,” Nance said. “Obviously our season kind of deteriorated after that. In that locker room is a No. 1 seed in the West. Whether we can get on the court at the same time is a different question, but the talent is clearly there.”
Larry Nance Jr.'s 2022-23 progression
It’s difficult to compare Nance’s season to the previous one with New Orleans, because he only played in nine games following a trade in ’21-22, but the Pelicans leaned on him heavily in ’22-23 during clutch time. His 90 clutch minutes were fourth-most on the roster, behind only CJ McCollum, Jones and Trey Murphy, with Nance part of downsized lineups that have been increasingly common across the league. “That’s becoming a more present role in today’s teams, where you have kind of a small-ball, change-of-pace center,” Nance said, mentioning players like Brandon Clarke, Grant Williams and Draymond Green. “I look forward to those minutes. I look forward to hopefully more next year.”
Larry Nance Jr.'s Pelicans Podcast recap
Pelicans team reporter Erin Summer recaps New Orleans Pelicans forward/center Larry Nance Jr.'s 2022-23 NBA season.
Larry Nance Jr.'s per-game stats from the 2022-23 NBA season
| GP | GS | MIN | FG% | 3P% | FT% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Larry Nance Jr. | 61 | 10 | 21.2 | 61% | 33.3% | 69.6% | 5.4 | 1.8 | 0.9 | 0.6 | 6.8 |
Photos: Larry Nance Jr. 2022‑23 Season in Review
1 / 50CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 7: Larry Nance Jr. #22 of the New Orleans Pelicans dunks the ball during the game against the New York Knicks on April 7, 2023 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
Larry Nance Jr. by the numbers
6-1
New Orleans record when Nance scored 15-plus points. The high-percentage, low-usage big isn’t needed by the Pelicans to produce prolific offensive nights, but when he does, it usually means positive things. The only loss occurred Nov. 18 vs. Boston, when he tallied 16 points.
9.2
Nance rebounds per 36 minutes, ranking third on the Pelicans behind only Jonas Valanciunas (14.7) and Willy Hernangomez (14.1). Nance was also third among New Orleans players in offensive rebounds per 36 minutes, with 2.8.
Larry Nance Jr.'s Top Plays | 2022-23 NBA Season Highlights
Larry Nance Jr.'s three most notable games
#1: Dec. 9, 2022 vs. Phoenix Suns (128-117 Win)
Nance only needed 24:06 of playing time to approach a double-double, compiling 17 points and nine rebounds against the Suns. Those were far from his only contributions, as he also registered five assists, four steals and one block.
#2: Dec. 11, 2022 vs. Phoenix Suns (129-124 Win)
What a weekend for Nance against one of his father’s former NBA teams. He followed up a quality Friday outing with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks on Sunday, as the Pelicans remained atop the Western Conference standings. He shot 6/7 from the field.
#3: Nov. 12, 2022 vs. Houston Rockets (119-106 Win)
Nance helped the Pelicans keep the Rockets at arm’s length in the second half by posting 10 points and seven rebounds after intermission, part of his 22-point, nine-rebound game. He was an efficient 8/10 from the field, including 2/3 on three-pointers (one of two games in which he made multiple treys).
