Pelicans and Warriors limp into Smoothie King Center for a battle
Which wounded team wants the win more?
The Golden State Warriors are back on the road again following a spirited but ultimately unsuccessful tussle vs the Boston Celtics. Today, they do battle with the New Orleans Pelicans, one of the two teams the Warriors have defeated this season (the other being the Portland Trailblazers).
As as has been the norm during this injury-riddled season, Golden State will be without Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, but now add D’Angelo Russell to the list of inactives for today’s game as he’ll be missing the next week weeks with a thumb sprain.
Warriors players have missed a combined 75 games due to injury this season. No other NBA team has has had players miss more than a combined 38.
— Connor Letourneau (@Con_Chron) November 17, 2019
Don’t expect New Orleans to have any pity on the wounded visitors, as the Pellies are still without alleged franchise savior, rookie Zion Williamson. In addition, they have plenty of other players who have been suffering injuries.
Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram, Josh Hart, J.J. Redick, and Jahlil Okafor all missed the Pelicans’ last game against the Miami Heat. Scott Kushner wrote this revealing sentiment for Nola.com:
For a team craving continuity and competitiveness, injuries have bludgeoned the first month of the season, and threaten to bury Williamson’s rookie year.
All the Pelicans and their fans can do is trust it’s going to get better. But no matter how much money and experience is thrown at the problem, this month illustrated a sobering reality.
There are no guarantees it gets better. It just requires patience and pliability to persevere through it.
Damn. Imagine having all those injury issues and no memories of a dynasty to ease the pain.
PELICANS!
WARRIORS!
IN THE BIG EASY!
NEXT!