The New Orleans Pelicans were unable to get the Jamahl Mosley era started with a win, as the Indiana Pacers escaped with a 123-120 win. The Pelicans will begin the year 0-1. These close games were a big talking point for Mosley over the past few weeks, and here they were unable to get the job done.
New Orleans had a chance to win this game, but lost a lead. Then they had a chance to tie it late, but missed the shot. Possibly more important than the miss, though, in the long run, was that Zion Williamson was willing to take the final shot from three.
One of the most important early stretches of this game came in the final minutes of the first half and could have major implications for this season. Williamson hit a three on the elbow, and then followed it up with another three to beat the first-half buzzer. Williamson celebrated hard, deservedly so.
That stretch should give him the confidence to keep going this season. Before those two makes, Williamson had the opportunity to take one, and he hesitated. It was a moment that clearly frustrated him, but he was able to bounce back. The forward finished the game with 22 points, four rebounds and three assists.
Player of the game honors may have to go to Dejounte Murray, though, who is reminding people of the player he was a few years ago. He had a slow start to his tenure with the Pelicans before going down with injury, had a few nice moments after his return last year, but was being held back as he got up to speed. This is what Murray can do while fully healthy.
Murray led the team with 23 points. He also added three rebounds, seven assists, two steals and three blocks. He is all over the place on both ends of the court and looks to be ready to lead this backcourt once again.
Mosley actually started both Murray and Jeremiah Fears together, which had been speculated about as of late. The excitement was dulled early, though, as three early fouls had Fears on the court for just five minutes in the first half.
Both Fears and Derik Queen had their ups-and-downs in this game, which is still expected as they are still developing. Queen started out very slow, but ended up responding well on both ends of the floor. He had 10 and 10 with two steals.
The best young player in this game was third-year center Yves Missi, who picked up where he left off in the FIBA qualifiers this summer. He looks every bit the player who has been hyped up by this staff this camp. He had 13 points, 14 rebounds, five assists and three blocks. While they still don't have great true center depth, Missi looks ready for that starting role.