Pelicans Reserves Finding Their Identity

New Orleans reserves have stepped up amid key injuries to start the year.

New Orleans, LA - The New Orleans Pelicans have started 2-0 this season, and we are still determining what this team looks like fully healthy. Three major contributors from a year ago have yet to take the court this year. Injuries have sidelined Trey Murphy III, Naji Marshall, and Jose Alvarado to start this year. A similar scenario presented itself last season for New Orleans.

The top six scorers for the Pelicans missed a combined 119 games last season. This number does not include games missed for key rotation players Jose Alvarado (21) and Larry Nance, Jr. (17). Reportedly, there was frustration in the locker room concerning the injuries and the guy's willingness to play through them. Brandon Ingram hoped the team's makeup this season could alleviate the damage felt when a player went down with an injury.

"We would love to be healthy and have all our guys, but we also want to have an identity when guys do out," Ingram told reporters during Media Day. "If we have an ankle injury, we stay the same team. We can bounce back, and guys can hold the bargain if other guys are out." Albeit an extremely small sample size, the Pelicans have done just that through the first two games. 

Oct 25, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Dyson Daniels (11) reacts with guard Jordan Hawkins (24) during the first half at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

In the season opener on the road in Memphis, New Orleans started sloppy in the first quarter. They committed five turnovers and shot 43% from the field. The team needed a spark, and newly signed forward Matt Ryan provided one. Ryan came off the bench and knocked down three 3-point shots in the quarter. The Pelicans made six three-point shots in the second quarter, turning a three-point deficit into a ten-point lead heading to halftime.

On Saturday night's game versus the Knicks, the Pelicans started the game strong after jumping out to a 26-12 lead after one quarter. The second unit did not relinquish that lead. Rookie Jordan Hawkins came off the bench and started 3/3 from downtown, and the Pelicans' lead ballooned to 18 points at the half. Hawkins and Ryan made four of the Pelicans' seven three-point shots in the first half.

Health for the Pelicans is vital for success this season. As injuries occur, the next man up steps in to fill a void through the first two games, which has worked according to plan. As November begins, New Orleans awaits the return of Marshall, Alvarado, and eventually Murphy III. In the meantime, they must hold down the fort.