It was a Thanksgiving eve to forget for the New Orleans Pelicans as they suffered a humiliating 119-93 loss to the struggling Toronto Raptors. The Pelicans, who were once off to a promising start this season, have now extended their losing streak to six games. Dejounte Murray, who had a standout performance in his first game with the team, expressed his frustration after the game, saying, “If you’re not embarrassed and really mad about this, that’s a problem.” The atmosphere in the arena was tense as boos echoed throughout from disappointed fans.
Murray further emphasized the disappointment of losing in front of their home crowd, stating, “Like, even the fans booing – I mean, what would you do if you were a fan paying your money? You want to come watch a competitive basketball game, especially from your home team. So, they got all the rights to say what they want, feel how they feel. They deserve a better game.” The Pelicans’ recent struggles can be attributed to injuries that have plagued their key players since Murray fractured his hand earlier in the season.
With Zion Williamson and other starters still in the lineup at the beginning of the season, the Pelicans managed to start with a 2-0 record. However, injuries have hit their top eight players hard, resulting in 15 losses out of their last 17 games. This has dropped them to an overall record of 4-15 in the highly competitive Western Conference. The absence of Murray and other crucial players has undoubtedly taken its toll on the team’s performance.
The lackluster defensive display by the Pelicans against Toronto was evident as they allowed their opponents to make a season-best 21 three-pointers. CJ McCollum expressed his disappointment with their defensive effort and called it a “horrible showing” from the team. Coach Willie Green also criticized the lack of competition, stating, “We allowed a team to come on our home floor and really make us look soft.” The Pelicans’ lack of intensity was evident, and it is clear that immediate improvements are needed.
With 63 games left in the season, the Pelicans still have a chance to turn things around and fight for a play-in berth. However, their upcoming game against Memphis will be crucial in determining their level of commitment to improving their performance. The players were given part of Thursday off to spend time with their families before heading to Memphis for Friday night’s game. Murray emphasized the importance of reflecting on their recent loss and not letting bad habits carry over into future games.
Injuries have undoubtedly disrupted the team’s rhythm and rotations, making it challenging for them to establish consistency on the court. McCollum acknowledged this but stressed that they cannot afford any more bad games. Time is ticking, and if they want to salvage their season, they need to start turning things around soon.
The Pelicans now face an uphill battle as they navigate through injuries and seek to regain their form. Their fans deserve better performances, and it is up to the team to rise above adversity and prove themselves capable of competing at a high level once again.