New Orleans Pelicans: Player Grades in 127-123 Loss to the Mavericks

The New Orleans Pelicans dropped an overtime heartbreaker to the Dallas Mavericks in a game they needed in order to keep pace in the Western Conference.

Much of the story around the New Orleans Pelicans’ matchup with the Dallas Mavericks revolved around the first meeting between young superstars Luka Doncic and Zion Williamson.

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Doncic won round one of what is sure to be many exciting games against Zion and the New Orleans Pelicans.

Doncic filled the scorecard, notching a 30 point, 10 assist, 17 rebound triple-double against the New Orleans Pelicans, who tried just about everything to stop the 21-year-old superstar point guard.

Kristaps Porzingis added 34 points and 12 rebounds of his own, but it was his defense, along with Maxi Kleber that was ultimately the difference in the game.

Porzingis and Kleber combined for ten blocks against New Orleans Pelicans and in the process exposed a few weaknesses in the superhuman Zion’s young game.

The Pelicans were much better defensively, but it was not enough to stop Doncic and the Mavericks and the loss was a costly one.

The New Orleans Pelicans now find themselves in the 12th seed, five games back of Memphis and have to start wondering if a playoff matchup with the Lakers is in their future or even in their best interest moving forward.

It was a fun game with many big and even surprising performances, and the grades will reveal where the New Orleans Pelicans came up short.

Point Guards

Lonzo Ball played an inspired game, often single-handedly keeping the New Orleans Pelicans from getting blown out.

Ball was on fire from 3-point range, hitting 7 of 11 for 25 points overall.

Ball added 11 rebounds, six assists, two steals and a block in what was one of his best all-around games as a Pelican.

Ball was stroking the 3-pointers, but his hustle and defense against Luka were what really stood out. Ball was determined to get the win and did whatever it took to get it, even though he came up short in the end.

Ball has been playing great all-around basketball of late and has grabbed the mantle as the emotional leader of the New Orleans Pelicans.

He still struggles to finish at the rim, which is perplexing given his plus size. Lonzo has to start hitting some of the bunnies he gets as a result of his ability to penetrate.

Frank Jackson got some extended run for the first time in a while and he made the most of it. The New Orleans Pelicans’ normal bench players struggled and Jackson was able to pick up some of the scoring slack.

He ended the night with 12 points in 21 minutes, including going 3 of 5 from 3-point range. Jackson was able to get to the rim a few times and showed that he can be counted on to get buckets off the bench.

With some of the Pelicans’ bench struggling (more on that later) they really needed Jackson’s scoring off the bench and he didn’t disappoint.