After an impressive start to their 2022-23 NBA season, the New Orleans Pelicans are now in danger of falling out of the playoff race.
The injury-riddled Pelicans are currently struggling, losing their last ten games on the trot. They were the top seed on December 15, but have slumped to a string of defeats and are now below the .500 mark with a 26-27 record — the latest of which came against the Dallas Mavericks.
It’s an alarming stat to make note of, and the fact that Zion Williamson has missed 16 games in a row has a part to play in their slide. The forward sustained a hamstring injury against the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this season and has been sidelined since.
The Pelicans also missed the services of Brandon Ingram who missed a sizeable chunk of games and returned only recently to the side. Both players are vital cogs in the New Orleans unit.
The Pelicans were the 1st seed two months ago, now they’re the 10th seed. YIKES.
Williamson was averaging 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 4.6 assists before going down to an injury, while Ingram has been propping up 20.5 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.0 assists.
NBA Fans React To The New Orleans Pelicans’ Alarming Slide
It’s not been an easy stretch for the Pelicans, and the franchise’s fans expressed their concern after the team endured one loss after another.
Last month, the Pelicans were considered bonafide title contenders by NBA executives. With the young roster gelling well with the experienced faces in the squad, the side was touted to go the distance, only for them to roll down the hill. Here’s what fans had to say.
No BI, no Herb, McCollum missing forever, what do you expect. Just wait for our starting 5 to be back
The Zion effect
No Zion and Brandon what do you expect
Take away any team’s 2 best players and see what happens…
That crazy, the Pelicans were #1 in December, but now they’re 10th, an everybody talking about how bad the Lakers record is, an how bad they’re playing.
Yet Zion made the all star game
Their two best players are facing injuries and one of their best defensive players is also out…
They have a good team they just missing their star players, and that’s normal. That’s like KD and Kyrie with nets last year, LeBron and AD, and Kawhi & PG.
“it’s too soon to say” as a meme
Zion better than ja but ja still crazy
With Ingram and Willaimson out of action, the load to deliver was on veteran CJ McCollum. The Pelicans will hope that their superstars return and hit their groove. With 29 games left, they will be keen to make amends and get back in the race.
The Western Conference is stacked and the Pelicans will be wary of the tough climb should they continue to lose more games. They will hope to arrest that slide when they play the Los Angeles Lakers at home next.
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