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Lonzo Ball will miss tonight’s action when the Pelicans host the Nuggets, sitting out a third consecutive game due to a right flexor hip strain. David Griffin mentioned in his trade deadline press conference this morning that he doesn’t expect Ball to return until sometime after New Orleans current back-to-back.
In Ball’s vacancy, Nickeil Alexander-Walker will start once again and he has shined. His offensive output as a starter has been dramatically more efficient.
| PPG | RPG | APG | 3PG | FG% | 3PT% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starter | 19.2 | 5.2 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 55.9% | 43.8% |
| Reserve | 7.5 | 2.4 | 1.8 | 1.1 | 37.6% | 29.1% |
Those are some remarkable differences in field goal percentages and three-point percentages between his five games as a starter versus 30 appearances as a reserve.
Maybe once Lonzo returns from injury, this should serve as an addition argument for starting NAW over Eric Bledsoe (asides the team prioritizing development) to close out this regular season — he’s earned it through posting stronger performances.
For more on tonight’s matchup, please give David’s preview a read.
Who: New Orleans Pelicans (19-24) vs Denver Nuggets (26-18)
When: March 26, 7:00 p.m. Central
Where to watch: FSNOLA
Where to listen: ESPN 100.3 FM
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