As they try to get into the play-in tournament, the New Orleans Pelicans have been falling down the Western Conference ladder.
However, their chances have improved thanks to victories over Houston and San Antonio in a row. They’ll attempt to exploit one more group out of postseason dispute when they have the Charlotte Hornets on Thursday night.
All-Star forward Zion Williamson, who has been out since Jan. 2 with a hamstring strain, is one player who won’t play. On Wednesday, the Pelicans made the announcement that Williamson, who had a setback recently, has been granted permission to resume on-court activities and will be re-evaluated in two weeks.
In a 119-84 victory over the Spurs on Tuesday night, New Orleans (35-37) took advantage of a short-handed team to improve their home record to 23-13. Before beginning a four-game road trip against teams in the Western Conference, the Pelicans hope to improve that record against Charlotte.
After a stretch in which New Orleans lost nine of 12 games, the win against the Spurs came on the heels of a 117-107 victory against Houston on Sunday.
Against the Spurs, the Pelicans shot 55.6 percent from the floor and 41.7% from three-point range.
The Hornets (23-50) are out of the playoff picture, but on Monday night, they overcame a 21-point deficit in the first half to defeat visiting Indiana 115-109.
Even as outsiders consider their draft prospects, Kelly Oubre Jr., who scored 28 points to lead the Hornets, stated that the team is focused on competing every night.
In the final six minutes, Charlotte defeated Indiana 19-4 to end a four-game losing streak.
Terry Rozier scored 23 focuses and Gordon Hayward added 22 for the Hornets, who fell behind 40-22 after the principal quarter.
Despite being outscored 45-18 by Indiana’s bench, the Hornets were able to score 35 points off of 22 Indiana mistakes.
