The New Orleans Pelicans will aim to end their rough patch of 12 losses in the past 13 games as they head to Indianapolis to face the Indiana Pacers on Sunday.
On Thursday, the Pelicans experienced a heartbreaking 111-109 home loss to the Sacramento Kings, continuing their nightmarish start to the season. The team has been plagued by injuries, currently missing key players like Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, and point guard Jose Alvarado.
Dejounte Murray, in his first season with the Pelicans, has struggled since fracturing his left hand in the season opener. In the eight games since his return on November 27, the 28-year-old guard has averaged 16.3 points per game but is recording career-low shooting percentages of 34.7% from the field and 25.9% from beyond the arc.
With Williamson recovering from a strained left hamstring and Ingram dealing with an ankle sprain, CJ McCollum has stepped up, averaging 21.5 points per game. Trey Murphy III has also contributed with 18.2 points per game.
The Indiana Pacers are trying to regain their form after last year’s Eastern Conference finals run. They have won two of their last three games, including a recent 121-107 road win against the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday, following a four-game losing streak.
Indiana has also dealt with injuries, losing big men Isaiah Jackson and James Wiseman for the season due to Achilles injuries. Ben Sheppard (oblique) and Aaron Nesmith (ankle) are also sidelined.
Head coach Rick Carlisle is pleased with the team’s offensive balance, as demonstrated in their recent victory where they made 14 three-pointers. Pascal Siakam leads the Pacers with 19.8 points per game, followed by Tyrese Haliburton (18.0) and Bennedict Mathurin (17.6).
The Pacers will look to avenge their 125-118 loss to the Pelicans on November 1, which was one of New Orleans’ five wins this season. Indiana did secure a 114-110 home victory over the Pelicans on November 25.
A win on Sunday would mark New Orleans’ first road victory since October 25 at Portland and would clinch their first season series victory over the Pacers since the 2019-20 campaign.
