NEW ORLEANS — The New Orleans Pelicans are halfway through the regular season and are looking to make a playoff appearance in back-to-back seasons for the first time since the 2007- 2008 and 2008-2009 seasons.
Right now, the Pels are currently third in the Western Conference with a 26-17 record. They've had the 12th easiest schedule to start the season, and they have the 17th toughest remaining schedule in the league over the second half of the season.
Despite All-Stars Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson missing major time, the Pels have used their depth to stay afloat. With the pair out, Jonas Valanciunas and CJ McCollum have carried the load. Valanciunas has played in every game this season, and McCollum has upped his scoring average to 28.8 points per game in January.
"He's a pro. He's always ready, even when he started the season a little slow. He's gotten himself going. It's incredible to see how consistent he is and his efficiency on the floor," Head coach Willie Green Said about McCollum.
Second and third-year pros Trey Murphy and Naji Marshall have filled in the starting lineup. Murphy has started 30 games, and Marshall has started 15 games.
"For our team to be really successful, everybody has to eat, and so that's when you just do your job to the best of your ability," Murphy said.
Marshall has flashed in extra minutes this season and even notched his career-high in points in back-to-back games earlier this month.
"He loves basketball. He does everything for this team to be successful... It's beautiful to watch him," Valanciunas said about Marshall.
It's unknown when Ingram and Williamson will return. Ingram has missed 28 so far this season. He injured his left great toe on November 25 against the Grizzlies.
Williamson has missed 14 games since straining his hamstring on January 2 against the 76ers. The team has said he will be re-evaluated on January 24.
Without Ingram, the Pels are 17-11, and without Ingram and Williamson, they are 7-4.
The team hasn't let the injuries slow them down, as they are only four games out of first place.
Here are some of the Pels toughest matchups remaining:
- Denver Nuggets - 2nd in Western Conference - 3 games
- Memphis Grizzlies - 1st in Western Conference - 1 game
- Milwaukee Bucks - 3rd in Eastern Conference - 1 game
- Cleveland Cavaliers - 5th in Eastern Conference - 2 games
- Sacramento Kings - 4th in Western Conference - 3 games
- New York Knicks - 6th in Eastern Conference - 2 games
Here are some of the easiest matchups remaining:
- Houston Rockets - 15th in Western Conference - 2 games
- New Orleans Hornets - 15th in Eastern Conference - 1 game
- San Antonio Spurs - 14th in Western Conference - 1 game
- Orlando Magic - 13th in Eastern Conference - 2 games
- Washington Wizards - 12th in Eastern Conference - 1 game