New Orleans Pelicans: Player Grades in Disappointing Loss to the Kings

New Orleans Pelicans: Player Grades for the small forwards.

Small Forwards

Josh Hart played his typical efficient offensive game, and grabbed a few rebounds, including a great offensive board in traffic that he then kicked out for an open three. Like just about everyone else, Hart couldn’t stop Bogdanovic when he was put on him, though he probably did the best job. He did get into Bogdanovic’s chest and make things more difficult, but it still didn’t matter as Bogs was in Klay Thompson mode. The disappointing thing about Hart is that he had as many turnovers (3) as rebounds. They really needed him to have a big game off the bench, to come in an be a lockdown defender, but it didn’t happen. The Pelicans must get bigger on the wing and bring in some guys who can defend.

Brandon Ingram got hot towards the end of the game, but alas, it was too late. It was obvious that the Pelicans should have gone to him much earlier and much more often than they did, as he ended the game with only 14 shots and was essentially unstoppable off the dribble. Ingram got burned defensively a few times, which you expect, but played an efficient offensive game though he only had three assists and didn’t get his teammates involved much after an early dime to Zion Williamson on the pick-and-roll. Ingram disappeared on the bench for a long stretch after his unit couldn’t stop anyone, but that was a big mistake, as the Pelicans have no better options on the wing, a problem that has plagued them all year.