Without leading scorers, Pelicans hope to get back on track vs. Spurs
Less than two weeks ago, the New Orleans Pelicans were riding a seven-game winning streak and sitting atop the Western Conference.
Now they’re on a four-game losing streak that has dropped them into third.
The losing streak started with two games against Utah, followed by losses to Phoenix and Milwaukee, all of whom have winning records.
New Orleans will try to get back on track when it plays the visiting San Antonio Spurs, who have the second-worst record in the West, on Thursday night.
The losing streak started with a decisive loss at Utah, but the last three games have been much more competitive. New Orleans lost to the Jazz in overtime in the second game, held a 24-point lead against the Suns before faltering and whittled an 18-point fourth-quarter deficit to three before falling to Milwaukee on Monday.
Green said after practice Wednesday that second-leading scorer Brandon Ingram, who has missed the last 11 games because of a bruised toe, will miss the game against the Spurs and at least one more.
Leading scorer Zion Williamson will also be out after entering health and safety protocol on Wednesday.
The Spurs have won four of their last six games after losing 11 straight. They routed the Rockets 124-105 on Monday night in Houston, despite playing without leading scorer Keldon Johnson, who was sidelined by a bruised back. In his absence, Devin Vassell scored 26 points
San Antonio trailed by two points at halftime, but outscored Houston 32-14 in the third quarter. It then scored the first five points of the fourth quarter to expand the lead to 97-76. The Spurs led 120-94 later in the period.
The Pelicans have defeated the Spurs twice in San Antonio — 129-110 on Nov. 23 and 117-99 on Dec. 2. The final meeting of the season will come March 21 in New Orleans.
