Zion Williamson and Dejounte Murray performed collectively on the identical group in a recreation for the primary time on Tuesday evening.
Each gamers have missed vital time as a consequence of accidents, however they gave a glimpse of what the New Orleans Pelicans envisioned once they traded for Murray from Atlanta within the offseason — although the duo’s first recreation collectively resulted in a 104-97 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Pelicans, who’ve the worst report within the Western Convention, may have an opportunity to construct on that efficiency once they host the Portland Path Blazers on Wednesday.
“That is a small pattern measurement of what this group is able to,” Pelicans coach Willie Inexperienced mentioned. “Now we have to attempt to string collectively extra video games like that and put collectively some wins.”
Williamson returned from a 27-game absence as a consequence of a strained hamstring to complete with 22 factors, six rebounds, 4 assists and three steals in 27-plus minutes. It was simply his seventh recreation of the season.
“I really feel like my legs are already beneath me,” Williamson mentioned. “Now it is simply getting right into a recreation rhythm. I haven’t got time to take three to 5 video games to get that. I’ve received to determine it out as rapidly as doable.”
Murray had a season-high 29 factors, six assists and 6 steals.
“I believe I’ve proved that is what I do,” Murray mentioned of breaking down defenses, “so I believe it is rubbing off on (Williamson). He is being energetic, and that is nice to see.”
The Blazers, in the meantime, are coming off a 118-115 loss at Detroit on Monday evening. They outscored Detroit 28-23 within the first quarter and led by as many as 22 factors within the second earlier than letting the margin and the sport slip away.
“We’re simply type of making an attempt to determine one another out, particularly initially of the sport,” mentioned guard Anfernee Simons, who scored a season-high 36 factors.
“I won’t be ultra-aggressive, however I am nonetheless making an attempt to make each single proper play and make performs to get any person else going. I belief myself to get going finally.”
Simons undoubtedly received going, scoring 17 factors by making 7 of 8 pictures from the ground within the last interval.
“I attempt to take my time throughout the recreation,” Simons mentioned. “And the third and fourth quarters are once I begin to set up myself. I am making an attempt to type of impose my will on the sport simply by studying the entire recreation all through the sport. I at all times say the fourth quarter is my time to get going.”
Simons leads Portland in scoring with a mean of 18.6 factors per recreation and is tied with Scoot Henderson for the lead in assists (5.1).
The season is not midway over, however New Orleans and Portland already are wrapping up their season collection, having performed thrice within the first two weeks of the season.
They cut up a two-game set in Portland throughout the first week because the Pelicans gained 105-103 on Oct. 25 and the Blazers captured a 125-103 victory two days later. Portland additionally beat host New Orleans 118-100 on Nov. 4.
–Subject Stage Media
