OKC Thunder face 1-10 Pelicans club – preview
Key matchup:
If Ingram or Williamson were available they would rank at the top of the list. However, even if Ingram was cleared to play, the more compelling matchup is a member of the family so to speak.
Nickeil Alexander-Walker is the cousin of Thunder cornerstone Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. This past summer SGA’s injury didn’t allow for his participation with the Canadian National Team at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament. In his absence, his cousin was among the leading offensive talents for Nick Nurse.
Through his short career, the book on NAW has been his lacking defensive ability but he made great plays on that side of the court.
He’s not going to win any All-Defense team appointments anytime soon, but it did highlight he’s capable when surrounded by other talented defenders and in a strong defensive scheme.
He’s a microwave scorer and with his cousin in the house expect that to motivate NAW to have a big night to claim bragging rights with SGA.
The other compelling player is rookie Herb Jones who also was out after taking an elbow from teammate Jonas Valanciunas. That sent him into the NBA Concussion Protocol program.
He’s missed the last three games although both he and Ingram were listed initially as questionable for Monday’s match versus the Mavericks and then downgraded to being out.
Jones isn’t a player who’ll be on the box score as a robust scorer but his defensive acumen has set him apart and impressed his coach Willie Green so much he elected to use him right away.
Green is giving him 24 minutes a game where he’s collecting 6.0 points, 2.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.1 steals. Of the Pelicans who’ve appeared in more than two games this season only Garrett Temple and Jones possess a positive defensive rating.
And on a team that ranks 28th on that side of the court that a rookie is one of the two in the mix is saying something.