After a tough stretch with 12 losses in their last 13 games, the New Orleans Pelicans will try to turn things around on the road when they face the Indiana Pacers on Sunday in Indianapolis.
On Thursday, New Orleans lost 111-109 to the Sacramento Kings at home, despite a late rally. The Pelicans have had a rough start to the season, with several injuries leaving them without key players like Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and Jose Alvarado.
In his first season with the Pelicans, Dejounte Murray fractured his left hand in the season opener. Since returning on Nov. 27, Murray has struggled with his shooting, averaging 16.3 points per game but posting career-lows of 34.7 percent from the field and 25.9 percent on 3-pointers.
“He’s coming back from being out for a while,” said Pelicans head coach Willie Green. “Coming back into a situation where he’s thrust right into having a lot on his shoulders is tough.
He’s responsible for getting the team involved, getting us in our sets, guarding some of the best players night in and night out and then trying to score 20-plus a night. He’s still knocking off some rust, still trying to find his rhythm, but at the same time he’s accountable.”
While Williamson recovers from a strained left hamstring and Ingram deals with an ankle sprain, CJ McCollum has led the team with 21.5 points per game, and Trey Murphy III has added 18.2 points per game.
Indiana is also struggling with injuries, but the team has won two of their last three games after a four-game losing streak. Their most recent win was a 121-107 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday.
Indiana has lost two big men for the season due to Achilles injuries: Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman. Ben Sheppard (oblique) and Aaron Nesmith (ankle) are also sidelined.
Following the victory against Philadelphia, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle praised his team’s balanced offensive play. “We’ve got to be aggressive, and certain teams play a style of defense where 3s are available,” Carlisle said.
“And if they are available, and we’re stepping into rhythm and hitting them, then we’ve got to keep shooting them. But we can’t forget about the paint. I thought our balance was good (against Philadelphia).”
Pascal Siakam leads the Pacers with 19.8 points per game, followed by Tyrese Haliburton (18.0) and Bennedict Mathurin (17.6).
Indiana will look to bounce back from a 125-118 loss to the Pelicans on Nov. 1, which was one of the five wins for New Orleans. The Pacers had previously defeated the Pelicans 114-110 at home on Nov. 25.
A win on Sunday for New Orleans would give them their first road victory since Oct. 25 at Portland and would also secure their first season series win over the Pacers since the 2019-2020 season.
