New Orleans Pelicans: Grades for loss vs. Grizzlies

New Orleans Pelicans vs. Grizzlies: Grades for the bigs

Willy Hernangómez’s final statline of 15 points, eight rebounds, and four assists is somewhat deceptive relative to his overall performance.

There’s little question that the Spanish center continues to play well offensively. He is a problem at his size with his soft touch, which was once again evident against the Grizzlies. Hernangómez was fairly productive in the paint with an arsenal of hook shots, floaters, and even a mid-range jumper.

However, I thought he struggled on defense. Hernangómez was mostly up against Jonas Valančiūnas, who is actually having a little bit of an underrated season. The Lithuanian big is averaging 17 points and 13 rebounds on good efficiency.

Valančiūnas got the best of Hernangómez most of the night. He only missed three shots and didn’t really break a sweat against him. That’s why, despite a good performance on the offensive end of the floor, Hernangómez gets a B.

It was between Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Naji Marshall, and Jaxson Hayes for player of the game.

Hayes continues to make the most out of his increased role given the Pelicans’ injury problems. He was once again huge for his team, having his third consecutive great night in a row.

The Texas big showed off his versatility against the Grizzlies. Until now, Hayes has been at his best running the floor hard and using his athleticism and active hands to finish lobs. That is still his best short-term role in the NBA and for the Pelicans, but Hayes has more to his game that should be explored in the few remaining games and, more importantly, the next few years.

Hayes made three triples against the Grizzlies. They were all clean makes and timely, as well. In addition, he had a really smooth drive to the rim and a creative finish flipping his lay-up in off the glass.

On defense, Hayes continues to play with great discipline. He is no longer as wild as he was earlier in the season and, as of late, can be counted on to make the right rotations and make himself big without fouling.

Wenyen Gabriel continues to deserve his uptick in minutes.

The former Kentucky forward had already started seeing a bit more game time before Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram’s injuries, but he is really a rotation player now. Over his last three games, Gabriel is averaging 19 minutes a night while scoring seven points. That’s not bad at all for someone who was on the end of the bench for most of the year.

I thought Gabriel once again played well on Monday night. He was smart and active on defense, bothering Jaren Jackson Jr. a few times, and contributed on offense. That area is really what his NBA future hinges on.

Don’t get me wrong, I think there will always be a spot for Gabriel as a team’s ninth or tenth man just because of his motor, seemingly good locker room presence, and physical tools. However, he needs to be dependable on attack if he wants to make more of himself.

So far, Gabriel has done that since stepping into a larger role. Against the Grizzlies, he made both of his threes and also added in a nice drive.