Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram are not available right now for New Orleans, but starting wing Herb Jones recently returned from a multi-game absence and the Pelicans hope to get key frontcourt reserve Larry Nance Jr. back in uniform soon, possibly even in Friday’s home game vs. Brooklyn (6:30 p.m., Bally Sports, ESPN, 99.5 FM). Nance is listed as questionable due to right shoulder soreness, saying after shootaround that he will work out pregame and make a decision on his status.
Nance has experienced multiple, separate injuries and therefore missed the past four games, not playing since the Dec. 28 nail-biting win vs. Minnesota. “When it rains, it pours, so I was beat up for a little bit, but I feel good,” Nance said. “We’re going to go through (a workout) and see how I feel. Achilles feels good, neck spasms went away – I felt like I was in a neck brace for a few days after that – then I couldn’t really move my shoulder. I’m feeling a whole lot better.”
Meanwhile, Jones missed three games Dec. 26-30 due to health and safety protocols, but has been back for three in a row. Like Nance, Jones was very positive this morning about his current status physically.
“I’m feeling great now,” the second-year pro said. “It was a little rough the first couple games coming back, but I feel like I’m back to myself now.”
Larry Nance Jr. on injury status, Naji Marshall | Pelicans vs. Nets Shootaround 1/6/2023
Other notes:
In other injury news, T.J. Warren is questionable to play Friday for Brooklyn. Willy Hernangomez joins Nance as questionable for New Orleans, with Ingram and Williamson out. …
Nance on the team’s philosophy while shorthanded: “Next man up. We’ve gone through different phases of the season and had different guys step up in different opportunities and different roles. We have no idea who is going to be kind of thrust into a more important role going forward. I think what we’ve found this year is that we’re all ready.” …
Jones on facing the Nets: “They have a lot of shooters and have shown the Brooklyn (team) that everyone expected lately. It’s going to be a tough out for us, especially on the defensive end.”
Brooklyn Scouting Report
Offensive efficiency rank: 4 (115.9)
Defensive efficiency rank: 10 (111.7)
Net rating: 5 (+4.2)
Streak: Lost 1
Go-to guy: When actual basketball returns to the forefront of the conversation, it’s easy to remember that Brooklyn has two go-to guys, perennial All-Stars who can get buckets at a moment’s notice. Kevin Durant is enjoying a wondrous offensive campaign, averaging 29.9 points on Hall of Fame efficiency (57 percent from the field, 93 percent at the foul line), while Kyrie Irving puts up 26.2 points a night on 50 and 91 in those categories.
On the rise: Fourth-year center Nic Claxton is known primarily as a rebounder and shot-blocker, but he’s somewhat surprisingly also been Brooklyn’s third-leading scorer this season (11.9 ppg). The southpaw from the University of Georgia averages 2.5 blocks (second in the NBA) and 2.4 offensive rebounds.
Herb Jones previews game vs. Brooklyn | Pelicans vs. Nets Shootaround 1/6/2023
Previous Game Starting Lineups
BROOKLYN (25-13)
Wednesday loss at Chicago
Ben Simmons, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Royce O’Neale, Nic Claxton
Notes: This group is only 10-8, partly because it began the season as Brooklyn’s first unit during the club’s 1-5 start. … The Nets are 23-8 under new head coach Jacque Vaughn, after starting 2-5 for Steve Nash. … Twelve different Brooklyn players have started a game this season, but five of those made exactly one start. … In a logjam at the top of the East standings, Brooklyn is in third place, tied with second-place Milwaukee (25-13) and just a half-game ahead of No. 4 Cleveland (25-14).
NEW ORLEANS (24-14)
Wednesday win vs. Houston
CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Trey Murphy, Naji Marshall, Jonas Valanciunas
Notes: This group is 3-0, posting previous victories during a December back-to-back vs. San Antonio and at Oklahoma City. … The Pelicans are exactly .500 under Willie Green in the regular season, after going 36-46 in his debut campaign. That makes them 60-60. … Ten different New Orleans players have started a game this season, with only Jaxson Hayes (one start) within that group doing so less than five times. … In a logjam at the top of the West standings, New Orleans is in third place, a game behind both Denver (25-13) and Memphis (25-13), but 2.5 games in front of No. 4 Dallas (22-17).
FanDuel Keys to the Game
BALANCE VS. BROOKLYN
As long as New Orleans is playing without two of its three leading scorers, getting offensive contributions from everyone across the board seems vital. In Wednesday’s victory over Houston, six different Pelicans scored at least 13 points, providing plenty of offense in a 119-108 triumph.
SIXTH MAN AT 6:30
Friday’s tip-off was moved up an hour when it was flexed into ESPN’s broadcast schedule (replacing Chicago at Philadelphia). A sellout crowd will be crucial in creating what’s been an intense atmosphere, one of the NBA’s most formidable homecourt advantages. At 17-4 in the Smoothie King Center, New Orleans is off to the best home start in franchise history.
MATCHUP TO WATCH
In an Oct. 19 season opener at Barclays Center between these teams, New Orleans did a commendable defensive job on Irving (15 points on 6/19 shooting), while Durant was a rare Brooklyn bright spot (32 points, 11/21 shooting). The Pelicans probably would take those prolific scorers combining to go 17/40 again from the field. “They have two of the world’s best shot-makers,” Nance said Friday morning.