Pelicans insider: Build the whole thing out of Herb Joneses

Build the whole thing out of Herb Joneses

BY CHRISTIAN CLARK | Staff writer​ ​ ​

This is my third season on the Pelicans beat. Tuesday was one of the most fun nights I've ever had at Smoothie King Center. I'd probably put it behind Zion Williamson's NBA debut and ahead of Anthony Davis' return, when The Brow got booed mercilessly every time he touched the ball.

The Pelicans were missing so many key players. Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart were out with minor injuries. Nickeil Alexander-Walker was still in the health and safety protocols. Zion was....well, you know.

New Orleans fell behind by 23 points against a Cleveland team that was also short-handed. But thanks to Herb Jones' career night and Garrett Temple going supernova in the fourth quarter, New Orleans scored a come-from-behind win.

Jones, who scored 26 points, has been a revelation this season.

And Tuesday, coach Willie Green used Jaxson Hayes at power forward, an interesting and effective wrinkle.

The Pelicans are 10-6 in their past 16 games. They've legitimately been impressive since their 3-16 start. Maybe don't look at the upcoming schedule if you want to keep the good vibes going, though. In their next four games, the Pelicans face the defending champions and host the West's three elite teams. They play at Milwaukee on New Year's Day then face Utah, Phoenix and Golden State. Gulp.

-- Christian