New Orleans is set to embark on a four-game Western Conference road trip that could decide its postseason seeding this month, but the Pelicans are facing major uncertainty about the status of multiple key players. Normally the timing of a lengthy excursion for Games 78 through 81 of the regular season would be very poor, but New Orleans (45-32, seventh in West) has been one of the NBA’s premier road teams after the All-Star break. The Pelicans are tied for the league’s best record in away contests (7-2, same as Denver) since mid-February.
“It definitely helps,” third-year head coach Willie Green said after Saturday’s practice in Metairie of his team’s stellar performance on the road lately. “But this is still a confident group. Guys are together.”
Willie Green on injury updates, responding to adversity | Pelicans Practice 4/6/24
Zion Williamson (left finger contusion) was sidelined for Friday’s 111-109 loss to San Antonio, but has not missed consecutive games in 2023-24. His ability to extend that “streak” Sunday at Phoenix (5 p.m., Gray Sports, WRNO 99.5 FM) is uncertain. He was a full participant during Saturday’s practice.
“He was on the court and went through a full practice today,” Green said. “We’ll see (about his status). He’ll be day-to-day.”
Jose Alvarado (right oblique strain) also practiced Saturday. After being asked about the playing status of Alvarado and Brandon Ingram (left knee bone contusion) moving forward, Green responded, “Jose is closer (to playing) than BI, but again no firm dates for you. Hopefully we can get them back to the (game) court soon.”
In addition, Naji Marshall (right shoulder) exited Friday’s game due to injury. He did not practice Saturday, with Green saying, “He’ll be day-to-day as well.”
Jordan Hawkins on NCAA Tournament, road trip in Phoenix | Pelicans Practice 4/6/24
Other notes from Saturday:
The timing of multiple New Orleans injuries couldn’t be much worse, but Green noted that the team will need to overcome any shorthanded situation.
“It throws you off a bit, when you have injuries and guys in and out,” Green said. “It interrupts the flow of the team, but that’s a part of an NBA season. At some point, it happens to mostly every NBA team. You have to try to figure it out.” …
Green on moving forward after Friday’s disappointing defeat: “Turn the page. Tough loss on our home court. A game that we all know we were more than capable of winning. We didn’t.” …
San Antonio had a 46-29 edge in three-point attempts (17-9 in makes). Green: “We’ve got to shoot more threes. It’s tough to win when your offense isn’t producing those shots.” …
Sunday’s game at sixth-place Phoenix (46-31) could be New Orleans’ final chance to keep its realistic hopes of a top-six seed alive. A win by the Pelicans (45-32) would give them the same record as the Suns (though Phoenix would still technically lead based on its tiebreaker clinch). A loss would make it nearly impossible to make up the required ground on fifth-place Dallas (47-30) and Phoenix over NOLA’s final four games. A Sunday loss also opens the door for both No. 8 Sacramento (44-33) and the No. 9 Lakers (44-33) to pull into a deadlock (or better) in the standings this weekend. The Kings have a manageable Sunday game on paper at struggling Brooklyn, while the Lakers host a back-to-back vs. playoff-bound Cleveland and Minnesota.