New Orleans Pelicans: This bench group was impressive in preseason loss

The New Orleans Pelicans lost their first preseason game after a spirited comeback in the fourth quarter.

The game was sloppy all around and the Pels have plenty to work on, but there were also several positives from the game.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored efficiently in his 20 minutes, looking stronger and more confident in the process. Trey Murphy III shot the ball well and the Pelicans had some nice hustle plays throughout the game.

Many of those came from the bench, which will hopefully be a weapon this season after being a huge weakness last year.

There was one particular group that stood out to me and I hope to see more of them in the preseason and into the regular season, as they were impressive.

New Orleans Pelicans: Is this the Pelicans second unit?

• PG: Tomas Satoransky
• SG: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
• SF: Josh Hart
• PF: Trey Murphy III
• C: Jaxson Hayes

Depending on what they do with the starting lineup, this is a bench group that could get a lot of time together this season. Hayes did go down with an apparent ankle injury, so let’s hope he’s able to get back to 100 percent before the real season starts.

There is plenty of shooting and playmaking, and this is a group that will get after it defensively. I also like Satoransky’s size with NAW, and the forward combination of Hart and Murphy III, who both made some nice hustle plays in the loss.

This is a very good rebounding group and can get out and run, something we saw a little of in the first game. NAW is the primary scorer in this group and Murphy III, Hart, Sato and even Hayes can all shoot, which gives NAW options when he breaks down a defense and has to give it up.

Coach Green indicated that the rotation is wide open and we might see different guys in different situations, but this is one group I would like to see more of, as they were impressive in a short burst and could be a weapon for the Pelicans.