New York Knicks at New Orleans Pelicans | Game 2

The New Orleans Pelicans will host the New York Knicks for its home season opener at Smoothie King Center.

The New Orleans Pelicans (1-0) will play their first home game of the season against the New York Knicks (1-1) at 6 PM CT on Saturday, Oct. 28. The game will be the only time the Knicks visit the Smoothie King Center this season.   All of the Pelicans starters, including Zion Williamson, will start against New York.

BROADCAST

• New Orleans Pelicans (1-0) vs. New York Knicks (1-1)
• Regular Season Game #2 • Home Game #1
• Smoothie King Center • New Orleans, LA
• October 28, 2023 • 6:00 PM (CT)
• TV: Bally Sports/NBA TV • Radio: WRNO 99.5 FM

Oct 25, 2023; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (1) flexes after a dunk during the second half against the Memphis Grizzlies at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

STARTING LINEUPS

Pelicans

• G CJ McCollum, G Herb Jones, F Brandon Ingram, F Zion Williamson, C Jonas Valanciunas

Knicks

• G Jalen Brunson, G Quentin Grimes, F RJ Barrett, F Julius Randle, C Mitchell Robinson

Stephen A. Smith: Zion Was 'Still Impressive'

Key Points For The Pelicans

The Pelicans on defense must watch for the Knicks guards Jalen Brunson and RJ Barrett, who combined for 57 points in their 126-120 victory against Atlanta. The pair went 11-for-17 shooting from beyond the arc. The Knicks connect at a rate of 45.5% (20-44) from the 3-point range.

Can Willie Green's dubbed "Best Duo" in Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram out score and out-work the forwards of veteran Julius Randle and Jalen Brunson.  Valanciunas' rebounding against Mitchell will be another point of emphasis for New Orleans.  The production of Dyson Daniels, Matt Ryan, and Jordan Hawkins off the bench will be important to spell CJ McCollum and Herb Jones.

Pelicans Open Season Strong With Road Win Against Memphis

Pelicans Previous Game Notes

• New Orleans won at FedExForum for the first time since Feb. 16, 2021, ending Memphis’ streak of five consecutive home wins in the series.

• The Pelicans shot 14-of-32 (.438) from three-point range while holding the Grizzlies to 12-of-43 (.279) shooting from beyond the arc.

• New Orleans outrebounded Memphis 52-37 which led to the Pelicans outscoring the Grizzlies 25-23 in second chance points.

• Memphis turned the ball over 13 times which led to 23 points for New Orleans, while the Pelicans had 21 miscues which led to 28 points for the Grizzlies.

• CJ McCollum (24), Zion Williamson (23) and Brandon Ingram (19) combined for 66 points.

• CJ McCollum converted 8-of-16 (.500) from the floor, 6-of-11 (.545) from three-point range and a perfect 2-of-2 from the free throw line.

INJURY REPORT

Unfortunately, the Pelicans will be missing three important players for this game.

On Friday, New Orleans provided an injury report stating that three players will not be able to participate in upcoming games. Guard Jose Alvarado, who has a sprained right ankle, Naji Marshall, who has a bruised right knee, and Trey Murphy, who underwent a partial meniscectomy on his left knee, will be out. These three players have significantly contributed to the team's lineup for the past two seasons.

The Knicks own the all-time series leading 22-21 where the teams split the 2022-23 season 1-1.