The New Orleans Pelicans came into their game with the Philadelphia 76ers with their playoff hopes teetering on the brink of extinction.
The death blow was held off for one more night, as the shorthanded Pels showed some toughness and heart and got a win that kept their waning chances alive.
Zion Williamson had perhaps his best game as a professional, although we’ve been saying that a lot lately, putting the Pels on his back in the 4th quarter and carrying them to victory.
However this season turns out, Zion has proven himself to be a star whose ceiling is nothing short of best player of his generation and a potential All-Time great.
Although it was Philly that entered the game with the league’s 2nd-best defense, it was the Pelicans who held them under 100 points and kept MVP candidate Joel Embiid to one of his lowest point totals of the season.
The Pelicans are now just a game back of the final play-in spot and with three games remaining against the Warriors, still have a puncher’s chance of battling their way into the playoffs, which would be a great accomplishment after such an up and down season that has been recently derailed by injury.
Brandon Ingram made his return to the lineup but Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart and Nickeil Alexander-Walker were all still out, so this was a nice win for a shorthanded team that is finally starting to show some heart.
Here are the grades for the Pelicans win over the 76ers.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Grades for the point guards
Zion was really the point guard in this game but technically Bledsoe got the start at the position. After putting together some much better numbers over the last ten games, Bledsoe returned to what his been his “meh” norm this season.
He ended the game with just nine points, four rebounds, two assists and zero steals and hit just 1-of-4 from behind the arc. Bledsoe hasn’t been bad enough to warrant all the hate he’s been getting but he hasn’t been good enough to be considered part of the future either.
Kira Lewis Jr. continued to do what he’s done all season, which is to make plays, set up his teammates and take care of the ball. Lewis Jr.’s play can best be described as “steady” which is a high compliment for a 19-year-old point guard who had no offseason or Summer League.
Lewis made an impact on the defensive end, swiping three steals and adding a block to his overall numbers. He turned the ball over twice to four assists and is averaging a better than 4-to-1 assist to turnover ratio for the season.
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Philadelphia 76ers: Grades for the small forwards
Brandon Ingram made his return from injury and notched 17 points but it took him 21 shots to get it. It will probably take him a few games to knock off the rust, and he really struggled shooting the ball.
What I liked about this game was that Ingram did grab eight rebounds, which was good to see. All season I’ve been talking about how Ingram needs to find ways to contribute other than scoring, and he can do it with playmaking and rebounds.
But the Pels will need him to do more down the stretch if they want to have any chance of clawing their way into the playoffs.
The New Orleans Pelicans used a wonky starting lineup with no shooting guards and two wings, one of which was Naji Marshall. Marshall’s numbers won’t jump out at you, but he had a nice game and gave the Pels a boost of energy and defense that they’ve long needed.
He only scored one point but he made some plays to set up teammates, grabbed some boards and made a few hustle plays.
Marshall is trying to make a case for himself for next season and may have a shot at the Josh Hart role of energy defender off the bench if the Pels decide to move on from Hart in the offseason.
James Johnson has been great for the Pelicans since the J.J. Redick trade and looks like a guy they should definitely sign in the offseason.
He has added an element of toughness and defense that the Pels desperately needed, has defended all over the floor and has even been better than his averages from behind the arc.
Johnson added another three steals and a block against the 76ers and was a big part of the bench unit that but the lead in the 3rd quarter.
Pelicans vs. 76ers: Grades for the power forward and centers
The English language may need some more superlatives, as Zion Williamson is quickly running through just about every flattering term I can use at this point.
He had his best all-around game of the season and looked like the best player on the floor for most of it, particularly in the 4th quarter, when he put the Pels on his back and carried them to victory, scoring 14 of his 37 points in the final frame.
Point Zion is no longer a gimmick, as Zion controlled the ball and the offense for most of the night, setting up teammates on his way to eight assists while also adding 15 rebounds.
I’ve been saying that Zion can help the Pelicans’ overall team defense by grabbing more defensive boards and last night he had 12 of them, dominating the glass on both ends.
There is nothing left to say about Zion at this point except that he is one of the best 20-year-olds to ever play in the NBA.
This was a game for the centers and all three of the Pelicans’ put up big numbers. Adams had a tough assignment against Embiid and managed to hold him down while blocking three shots and adding three steals.
Adams’ hustle set the tone, and during one play he managed to pass the ball after being knocked to the ground, setting up Jaxson Hayes for a dunk on the other end.
Adams just continues to do what he’s been doing all season, which is defend the paint, grab rebounds and set strong picks.
Willy Hernangomez was one of the best players on the floor for the Pelicans last night, adding a double-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and a block.
He too was part of the Pels’ bench unit that was able to help build the lead in the second half. Hernangomez has been solid all season and has earned his spot as the third center moving forward.
What a night for big men on the New Orleans Pelicans! Stan Van Gundy had to be ecstatic to be able to get over 60 combined minutes out of his centers, who all produced.
Hayes has been great since returning from his benching and finally seems to be figuring some things out. He added 12 points and six boards in just 19 minutes, blocked a shot and continues to be productive on both ends.
You never know what to expect with the New Orleans Pelicans, who could very well lose the next two games against inferior opponents, but for now, they have to be excited that they are playing meaningful games while getting their young guys plenty of run.