Introducing Club 20, brought to you by the New Orleans Pelicans

Jan 29, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball (2) drives against Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) during the second quarter at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 29, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball (2) drives against Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) during the second quarter at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Welcome to Club 20,  Pelicans style. What is Club 20, you may ask? It is where all the starters for the New Orleans Pelicans have a stat line in double digits, starting with “2”.

In front of a little over 1400 fans, which is an increase from the 750 previously allowed in the games, the Pels pulled out a much-needed win on Friday night, thanks to Club 20.

The Pelicans were hosting former teammate and all-around good guy Jrue Holiday as he made his second trip back to New Orleans as a Milwaukee Buck, the first in the regular season.

Every single starter contributed to this huge win. It started in the backcourt with Lonzo Ball and Eric Bledsoe, who was playing the team he spent the past three seasons with for the first time.

Both were hot beyond the arc, hitting seven threes each, which is a career-high for both players. Ball ended up with 27 points and Bledsoe had 25.

To add to the “20” stat, the Pelicans matched a franchise record for the number of three’s made: 21.

It wasn’t all shooting, though, as Ball’s hustle on defense was in full display Friday night as he played arguably his best game of the year.

Brandon Ingram was typical BI, hitting shots when it counted and ending his night with a team-high 28 points.

No play solidified Ingram’s night more than this one in the 4th.

Then there’s  Zion Williamson. In his 40th game overall, he just continued to amaze with his body control, ability to see the court and make points happen. He finished his night with 21 points.

What was even more impressive were his career-high seven assists, including this gem.

See the pattern here? All four of these players ended Friday night with over 20 points.

However, Steven Adams was not interested in being left out of Club 20 so he made his contributions elsewhere.  Adams contributed 20 rebounds to the club, 10 on offense and 10 on defense.

Asked about his contribution to the team’s win, Adams gave us another gem of an answer.

The New Orleans Pelicans have won two in a row and beat a very good Bucks team playing at full strength.

Is this the turning point of the season? It’s clear it will take more than one or two of the Pels playing at a high level to continue their winning ways and having every starter be a part of Club 20 is an excellent achievement that needs to be repeated a few more times in upcoming games.

Club 20 is open. Let’s keep it rolling.