New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for win vs. Oklahoma City Thunder

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Thunder: Grades for the bigs

Willy Hernangómez got the start at center for the New Orleans Pelicans because of Steven Adams’ injury.

The Spanish big was effective once again, adding another double-double to his collection. In truth, this wasn’t a particularly challenging game for Hernangómez. He was up against a team that is probably only slightly better than your best G League squad and Hernangómez was able to physically dominate them.

Hernangómez was smaller than his center counterpart, Moses Brown, which is something that doesn’t happen often; however, Brown is also much skinnier and easy to push around.

The Pels’ center finished his game with 13 points and also patrolled the rim effectively, with ten rebounds, two steals, and a block.

Jaxson Hayes grew into the game after a slightly disappointing start.

Hayes was initially outplayed by OKC bench big Isaiah Roby, but he turned things around later on. I was happy to see the Texas big man play exclusively at the 5 against the Thunder, although I suspect that had more to do with Adams’ absence than a change of plans.

Regardless, Hayes showed his bounciness around the rim with an incredible lob courtesy of Lonzo Ball and then a huge dunk in transition. He also got two blocks.

The one thing that Hayes really has to get better at is rebounding. This is something that has haunted him going back to his college days. Hayes is averaging just four rebounds per game this season and can often be manhandled under the glass.