The 2023-24 NBA regular season merely accelerated a pro basketball trend, with virtually all 30 teams playing up-tempo, high-scoring games packed with fast breaks and audacious three-point shooting – leaving the traditional 7-footer behind. The old-school big man is becoming a dinosaur in this era, replaced by versatile, athletic centers who can put the ball on the floor, dribble to the rim and launch jumpers from 30 feet.
Then the playoffs tipped off this weekend.
In place of prolific 140-135 final scores were tallies like 97-83 (in Cleveland) and 94-92 (in Oklahoma City). For New Orleans, a grind-it-out, 1990s-style Game 1 matchup against the top-seeded Thunder was the perfect opportunity to lean on 29 minutes from center Jonas Valanciunas, who’s listed at 6-11, 265 pounds. The burly 12-year NBA veteran responded with 13 points and 20 rebounds, including nine offensive boards, half of the Pelicans’ team total.
Pelicans Stat Leader Highlights: Jonas Valanciunas finishes with 13 points and 20 rebounds vs. Oklahoma City Thunder | Pelicans vs. Thunder Playoff Game 1
While muscling Thunder defenders into the restricted area to set himself up for point-blank shots, Valanciunas displayed the low-post skills that helped make him the No. 5 pick of the 2011 draft by Toronto. He became the first New Orleans player in franchise history to record multiple playoff games of 20-plus rebounds, following up his vital Friday play-in tournament performance vs. Sacramento (19 points, 12 rebounds), a game the Pelicans needed to keep their season alive.
Valanciunas managed to play two of his best games of 2023-24 in huge spots, after not always filling a large role late in the regular season, including April matchups vs. Phoenix and the Lakers in which he logged just four and seven minutes, respectively.
“JV has been a true professional all season long, and we don’t win this game without his performance,” third-year head coach Willie Green said after the playoff-clinching Sacramento victory. “Through it all, he’s always ready when we call his number. It’s a blessing to have high-character professionals, high-character people like JV.”
Highlights: Jonas Valanciunas with 19 points vs. Sacramento Kings | NBA Play-In Tournament 4/19/24
“JV has just been a professional,” forward Brandon Ingram said. “Not only (Friday vs. the Kings), but throughout the season. Him not touching the floor sometimes in the second half (of games), not being in the game as much, he’s always got a smile on his face. He’s always trying to hype (a teammate) up. That’s hard to do, when you’ve been in the league so long and been producing so long.”
Valanciunas has the second-most playoff experience among New Orleans players (55 games) and figured prominently in the Pelicans nearly becoming the only road team to win a Game 1 across the NBA playoffs. The Thunder had difficulty handling the physical 31-year-old when he was planted in the paint, often needing to send an extra defender to stop him.
“JV was fantastic, with his ability to dominate the glass,” Green said of the 20-rebound outing. “We can throw the ball into him, and he settles our offense down a bit. He’s a mismatch for Oklahoma offensively for us.”