Game thread: Starting lineups for Pelicans-Kings matchup reflects two teams lacking playoff aspirations

With the playoffs no longer a possibility, the New Orleans Pelicans are going to field a rather unusual starting lineup against the Sacramento Kings tonight.

With Jrue Holiday, Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson ruled out yesterday, Alvin Gentry was going to have to trot out something highly irregular, but it’s interesting to see Jaxson Hayes receive the nod ahead of Derrick Favors, who is reportedly available.

Either way, it’s good to see because these final two games inside the bubble presents a golden opportunity for big minutes among the young reserves.

“I think you want to have them have valuable minutes in real games in situational basketball offensively and defensively,” Gentry said in pregame. “I think it’s going to be really important that we approach it with the right spirit, and we talked about that today at shootaround, how we have to get after this game as if [it was] any other regular season game. We’ve got to play to win, and we’ve got to execute and be good defensively in all those areas.”

For more on tonight’s game, please give a our preview a read. Also, be sure to read the latest on Brandon Ingram and why he remains on track to re-sign with New Orleans in the upcoming free agency period.

Geaux Pels!

Who: Sacramento Kings vs New Orleans Pelicans

When: August 11, 8:00 p.m. Central

Where to watch: TNT, FSNO

Where to listen: ESPN 100.3 FM

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