New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for massive win vs. Clippers

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Clippers: Grades for the wings

Brandon Ingram picked up against the Clippers where he left off versus the Cavs.

The former Duke wing was efficient with his 23 points. Ingram only missed five of his shots and was making it rain from deep. He finished with three made triples, but it was the fashion in which he got those makes that impressed me.

Ingram was stepping into his triples confidently. He even stopped on a dime and pulled up from deep in transition. Ingram’s three-point percentage is one percent lower than last season, but I think he has improved from the perimeter in terms of confidence, willingness, and shot profile.

Josh Hart continues to be one of the Pelicans’ most consistent players.

The Villanova wing is as dependable as they come. He missed just one shot against the Clippers, making a trifecta of three-pointers, giving out six assists, and crashing the glass as always.

I speculated earlier this week about why New Orleans could be tempted to trade Hart ahead of his restricted free agency this summer, but it’s tough to argue in favor of that when he’s playing like this.

Hart also embraced the challenge of defending the Clippers’ wings. He displays his versatility on defense on a nightly basis and any coach in the league would love to have a player like him.

Another game, another period of garbage time for Sindarius Thornwell.

Like I wrote after the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Thornwell is currently on his second two-way contract of the season. The Pelicans want to keep him around and he is usually Stan Van Gundy’s first name off the bench when it’s time for the starters to wrap up their nights.

Thornwell missed both of his shots and turned the ball over once. I understand that the Pels organization likes him, but I think they might be better off investing in Naji Marshall, Wenyen Gabriel, Will Magnay, and eventually Didi Louzada.

I was happy to see Naji Marshall continue to get more NBA reps under his belt.

The former Xavier man is an intriguing prospect on the wings for New Orleans. He has the size and length to be an NBA player but still needs to answer questions about his shot. Still, Marshall shot decently in the G League Bubble (around 35 percent from three) and he is now getting some major league minutes.

Marshall was only on the court for four minutes, but he made his only field goal attempt. This came when Marshall attacked right, spun left, and finished at the rim.

Let’s keep seeing more of him.