Pelicans Scoop

NBA Star Chris Paul Sends Message to New Orleans Pelicans Player

San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul sent a message to the newest Pelicans player.

Joey Linn

San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) reacts during the second half at Intuit Dome.
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul (3) reacts during the second half at Intuit Dome. / Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
In this story:

The New Orleans Pelicans have been hit hard by injuries this season, which has led to the need for roster additions. Signing six-year veteran guard Jaylen Nowell at the beginning of this month, the Pelicans then waived him before signing former 10th overall pick Elfrid Payton.

Payton was not a stranger to New Orleans, having played 42 games for the franchise in the 2018-19 season. Now back with the Pelicans, Payton is playing at a high level through three games.

Averaging 9.7 points, 11.0 assists, and 5.0 rebounds, Payton is also converting on 56.0% of his field goal attempts. Recently putting up an incredible line of 14 points, 21 assists, and seven rebounds, Payton had the NBA world talking. 

Still just 30 years old, Payton had not appeared in an NBA game since the 2021-22 season. It will be interesting to see what the Pelicans do with him once they get healthy, because he has been starting the last three games.

One player who shared support for Payton was San Antonio Spurs star Chris Paul. The former New Orleans point guard shared a message for Payton on Instagram.

Chris Paul
San Antonio Spurs guard Chris Paul sends message to New Orleans Pelicans guard Elfrid Payton. / @cp3 / Instagram

With some key players on the verge of a return, most notably Dejounte Murray, the Pelicans may remove Payton from the starting lineup. Even in the event he gets removed from the starting group, Payton has not only earned a roster spot, but consistent minutes with his play.

Related Articles

Zion Williamson Gets Brutally Honest After Blowout Loss to Warriors

New Orleans Pelicans Make Roster Move After Loss to Warriors

Brandon Ingram's Honest Statement on Pelicans' Loss to Warriors

Published
Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

Home/News