The New Orleans Pelicans enter Friday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers off their worst loss of the season.
Make no bones about it—it truly was that bad. The Pelicans were blown out by the Minnesota Timberwolves, an 8-29 team whose main worry for most of the season has been scouting the top of the lottery in this upcoming draft. New Orleans accounts for two of the Timberwolves’ eight total wins, a torrid figure that situates the Pelicans’ woes this season.
Throughout the year, there have been some positive flashes. Zion Williamson was given an all-star berth. Lonzo Ball has shown some legit improvement. Brandon Ingram was tremendous to start the season.
But, rightfully so, all the good has been eclipsed by the bad. A team that had the makings to be competitive, or at the very least entertaining, has morphed into an archaic, quixotic group of players.
The loss to Minnesota was inexcusable and while it could be a watershed moment for the Pelicans to turn around their season, that seems unlikely. This wasn’t a one-off; rather, a microcosm of all the problems New Orleans has encountered and failed to solve more than halfway through the 2020-21 season.
The Pelicans have the opportunity to bounce back with a win against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but it’s not like that will remedy New Orleans’ illness.
Rather, it’s a bit of a double-edged sword. First, there is the matter of motivation on the second night of a back-to-back. Then, if you lose against the Cavs, it’s another disastrous result. Lastly, even if the Pels win, it’s a game they should be winning, so the momentum is minute.
This is Cleveland’s first game after the all-star break. They will be without Matthew Dellavedova and Andre Drummond, who is sitting out pending a trade. Kevin Love, Darius Garland, and possible trade target Larry Nance Jr. have been out with injuries as of late, but could potentially make it to the Smoothie King Center.