With the New Orleans Pelicans having just 2 preseason games left, anticipation is growing for their season opener versus the Memphis Grizzlies on October 22nd.
When this game was announced, it was viewed as a clash between the two top picks from the 2019 draft and an opportunity for two similar Western Conference teams to separate themselves from one another. Now, it looks like it’s going to be a perfect matchup to start the season with for this Pelicans team.
Memphis has four key players likely to be on the injury report for this game, putting them at a major disadvantage to start the season.
Both of their All-Stars are expected to be out. Jaren Jackson Jr. is out with a toe injury, and although Ja Morant is optimistic about a return from an ankle injury, he’s still unlikely to be fully healthy. They are also without both of their potential starting center options, Brandon Clarke is set to be sidelined for at least six weeks, and Zach Edey was sidelined for six to nine weeks back on September 26th.
Whether Morant plays or doesn’t, not having Edey, Clarke, and Jackson Jr. means Zion Williamson is going to feast in the paint. Missing your three best rim protectors, one of whom is a former Defensive Player of the Year, is not how the Grizzlies wanted to start this season. But for the Pelicans, it’s one more reason to dominate this matchup.
Can this group build off an opening night victory
Assuming the Pelicans get into the win column in their season opener, building on that result over the next four games is going to be crucial. The four games that follow opening night see them host the San Antonio Spurs, then host the Boston Celtics, followed by a road trip that includes games against the Denver Nuggets and the LA Clippers.
All four of these games are tough ones, as two of these teams are viewed as title contenders by most, that being the Clippers and Nuggets. And although both the Celtics and Spurs will be without stars Jayson Tatum and De’Aaron Fox, they are still well-coached teams with talented players that have playoff aspirations.
The next couple of games following the season opener make winning that game against the Memphis Grizzlies even more important. They need to enter that game and make a statement that this group is going to try to dominate every game, but especially the easy ones.
If the Pelicans truly want to make the playoffs this season, taking advantage of games like the one on opening night versus Memphis is extremely important.