New Orleans Pelicans: 3 storylines to watch against the Brooklyn Nets

The New Orleans Pelicans will look to bounce back with a win on the second night of their back-to-back, but that appears a difficult proposition against the Brooklyn Nets.

The Pels lost decisively 107-123 to the Atlanta Hawks, their third defeat in fourth games. Getting back in the win column is imperative for the Pelicans, who are currently just one and a half games behind making the play-in tournament. However, the circumstances could hardly be tougher.

For starters, the Pelicans are in the middle of an extended injury crisis.

Lonzo Ball and Zion Williamson returned over the past two games, but Stan Van Gundy is still without Brandon Ingram, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Kira Lewis Jr., and now possibly Jaxson Hayes after a potential ankle injury against the Hawks. Ingram still has a chance of playing against Brooklyn.

Then, there’s also the small matter of the Nets’ dominance. It doesn’t feel like the Nets have played their best basketball or even completely gelled as a team, but they are still second in the Eastern Conference, tied with the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Nets have rarely played with all three of Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving available at the same time, but their depth and just general basketball ability borders the ridiculous. Over the past month alone, they have added two former all-stars in Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge to their squad. Just something light, I guess.

On top of that, the Pelicans have the “luck” of going to the Barclays Center on what will most likely be Kevin Durant’s return to action. Durant has not played since February 13 due to a hamstring injury. On the flip side, Harden will not play after sustaining a right hamstring strain in the Nets’ last game.

With that being said, here are three things to watch out for when the New Orleans Pelicans take on the Brooklyn Nets: