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2020–21 New Orleans Pelicans season

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2020–21 New Orleans Pelicans season
Head coachStan Van Gundy
General managerTrajan Langdon
Owner(s)Gayle Benson
ArenaSmoothie King Center
Results
Record31–41 (.431)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Southwest)
Conference: 11th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionBally Sports New Orleans
RadioWWL-FM
< 2019–20 2021–22 >

The 2020–21 New Orleans Pelicans season was the 19th season of the New Orleans Pelicans franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). On August 15, 2020, the New Orleans Pelicans fired head coach Alvin Gentry after five seasons with the team.[1] On October 22, 2020, the Pelicans hired Stan Van Gundy as their new head coach, who was also fired on June 16, 2021, after just one season with the team.[2] The Pelicans failed to qualify for the postseason for the third consecutive season following a loss to the Dallas Mavericks on May 12, 2021.[3]

Following the season, the Pelicans and head coach Stan Van Gundy mutually agreed to part ways.[4]

Draft

[edit]
Main article: 2020 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College / Club
1 13 Kira Lewis Jr. PG  United States Alabama
2 39 Elijah Hughes SF  United States Syracuse
2 42 Nick Richards C  Jamaica Kentucky
2 60 Sam Merrill SG  United States Utah State

After their March 11, 2020 game against the Sacramento Kings was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns with a referee, the Pelicans and Kings were stuck with a tied record for the best odds at the #12 pick of the 2020 NBA draft during the Suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season. However, as one of the teams invited to the 2020 NBA Bubble, it gave them a chance to move their selection up with a potential playoff spot earned there. Due to poor performances in the bubble, the Pelicans failed to gain any ground there. Even worse, despite gaining an extra loss, their first-round pick moved to #13 instead due to the Kings winning their tiebreaker via March 11 records. The Pelicans also held three second-round picks, with two of the three picks acquired via a three-way trade involving the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons.[5]

Roster

[edit]
2020–21 New Orleans Pelicans roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 12 Adams, Steven 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1993-07-20 Pittsburgh
G 6 Alexander-Walker, Nickeil 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1998-09-02 Virginia Tech
G 2 Ball, Lonzo 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1997-10-27 UCLA
G 5 Bledsoe, Eric 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 214 lb (97 kg) 1989-12-09 Kentucky
F 32 Gabriel, Wenyen 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1997-03-26 Kentucky
G/F 3 Hart, Josh 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1995-03-06 Villanova
F/C 10 Hayes, Jaxson 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2000-05-23 Texas
C 9 Hernangómez, Willy 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1994-05-27 Spain
F 14 Ingram, Brandon 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1997-09-02 Duke
G 4 Iwundu, Wes 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1994-12-20 Kansas State
F 16 Johnson, James 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1987-02-20 Wake Forest
G 13 Lewis, Kira 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2001-04-06 Alabama
G 0 Louzada, Didi 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 1999-07-02 Brazil
F 8 Marshall, Naji 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1998-01-24 Xavier
F 21 Nunnally, James (TW) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 211 lb (96 kg) 1990-07-14 UC Santa Barbara
F 1 Williamson, Zion 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 284 lb (129 kg) 2000-07-06 Duke
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: May 7, 2021

Standings

[edit]

Division

[edit]
Southwest DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
y – Dallas Mavericks4230.583–21‍–‍1521‍–‍157–572
x – Memphis Grizzlies3834.5284.018‍–‍1820‍–‍166–672
pi – San Antonio Spurs3339.4589.014‍–‍2219‍–‍176–672
New Orleans Pelicans3141.43111.018‍–‍1813‍–‍236–672
Houston Rockets1755.23625.09‍–‍278‍–‍285–772

Conference

[edit]
Western Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1z – Utah Jazz *5220.722–72
2y – Phoenix Suns *5121.7081.072
3x – Denver Nuggets4725.6535.072
4x – Los Angeles Clippers4725.6535.072
5y – Dallas Mavericks *4230.58310.072
6x – Portland Trail Blazers4230.58310.072
7x – Los Angeles Lakers4230.58310.072
8pi – Golden State Warriors3933.54213.072
9x – Memphis Grizzlies3834.52814.072
10pi – San Antonio Spurs3339.45819.072
11New Orleans Pelicans3141.43121.072
12Sacramento Kings3141.43121.072
13Minnesota Timberwolves2349.31929.072
14Oklahoma City Thunder2250.30630.072
15Houston Rockets1755.23635.072

Notes

  • z – Clinched home court advantage for the entire playoffs
  • c – Clinched home court advantage for the conference playoffs
  • y – Clinched division title
  • x – Clinched playoff spot
  • pb – Clinched play-in spot
  • o – Eliminated from playoff contention
  • * – Division leader

Game log

[edit]

Preseason

[edit]
2020 preseason game log
Total: 2–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 1–0)
Preseason: 2–0 (home: 1–0; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 December 11 @ Miami W 114–92 Zion Williamson (26) Zion Williamson (11) Brandon Ingram (6) AmericanAirlines Arena
0 		1–0
2 December 18 vs Milwaukee W 127–113 Zion Williamson (31) Adams, Williamson (9) Lonzo Ball (8) Smoothie King Center
0 		2–0
2020–21 season schedule

Regular season

[edit]
2020–21 game log
Total: 30–41 (Home: 17–18; Road: 13–23)
December: 3–2 (home: 1–0; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
1 December 23 @ Toronto W 113–99 Brandon Ingram (24) Zion Williamson (10) Brandon Ingram (11) Amalie Arena[6]
0 		1–0
2 December 25 @ Miami L 98–111 Zion Williamson (32) Zion Williamson (14) Ball, Bledsoe (6) American Airlines Arena
Limited seating 		1–1
3 December 27 San Antonio W 98–95 Brandon Ingram (28) Brandon Ingram (11) Brandon Ingram (6) Smoothie King Center
Limited seating 		2–1
4 December 29 @ Phoenix L 86–111 Zion Williamson (20) Adams, Melli (8) Brandon Ingram (6) PHX Arena
0 		2–2
5 December 31 @ Oklahoma City W 113–80 Brandon Ingram (12) Steven Adams (10) Lonzo Ball (9) Chesapeake Energy Arena
0 		3–2
January: 4–9 (home: 3–4; road: 1–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
6 January 2 Toronto W 120–116 Brandon Ingram (31) Steven Adams (10) Eric Bledsoe (10) Smoothie King Center
Limited seating 		4–2
7 January 4 Indiana L 116–118 (OT) Brandon Ingram (31) Eric Bledsoe (11) Brandon Ingram (8) Smoothie King Center
Limited seating 		4–3
8 January 6 Oklahoma City L 110–111 Zion Williamson (29) Adams, Ingram (11) Steven Adams (10) Smoothie King Center
Limited seating 		4–4
9 January 8 Charlotte L 110–118 Zion Williamson (26) Hart, Ingram, Williamson (8) Brandon Ingram (8) Smoothie King Center
Limited seating 		4–5
– January 11 @ Dallas Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: May 12)[7]
10 January 13 @ L. A. Clippers L 106–111 Nickeil Alexander-Walker (37) Jaxson Hayes (10) Steven Adams (15) Staples Center
0 		4–6
11 January 15 @ L. A. Lakers L 95–112 Zion Williamson (21) Zion Williamson (12) Brandon Ingram (5) Staples Center
0 		4–7
12 January 17 @ Sacramento W 128–123 Zion Williamson (31) Steven Adams (15) Alexander-Walker, Lewis Jr. (5) Golden 1 Center
0 		5–7
13 January 19 @ Utah L 102–118 Zion Williamson (32) Zion Williamson (9) Ball, Ingram (4) Vivint Smart Home Arena
Limited seating 		5–8
14 January 21 @ Utah L 118–128 Zion Williamson (27) Steven Adams (16) Lonzo Ball (5) Vivint Smart Home Arena
Limited seating 		5–9
15 January 23 @ Minnesota L 110–120 Brandon Ingram (30) Zion Williamson (11) Lonzo Ball (7) Target Center
0 		5–10
– January 25 San Antonio Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: April 24)[8]
16 January 27 Washington W 124–106 Ingram, Williamson (32) Steven Adams (18) Brandon Ingram (8) Smoothie King Center
Limited seating 		6–10
17 January 29 Milwaukee W 131–126 Brandon Ingram (28) Steven Adams (20) Lonzo Ball (8) Smoothie King Center
Limited seating 		7–10
18 January 30 Houston L 112–126 Zion Williamson (26) Lonzo Ball (8) Eric Bledsoe (5) Smoothie King Center
Limited seating 		7–11
February: 7–8 (home: 5–3; road: 2–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
19 February 1 Sacramento L 109–118 Brandon Ingram (20) Josh Hart (13) Lonzo Ball (5) Smoothie King Center
1,440 		7–12
20 February 3 Phoenix W 123–101 Zion Williamson (28) Steven Adams (13) Ingram, Williamson (6) Smoothie King Center
1,440 		8–12
21 February 5 @ Indiana W 114–113 Brandon Ingram (30) Steven Adams (12) Brandon Ingram (7) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
0 		9–12
22 February 6 Memphis W 118–109 Zion Williamson (29) Brandon Ingram (12) Lonzo Ball (7) Smoothie King Center
1,440 		10–12
23 February 9 Houston W 130–101 Brandon Ingram (22) Josh Hart (17) Zion Williamson (7) Smoothie King Center
1,900 		11–12
24 February 10 @ Chicago L 116–129 Zion Williamson (29) Adams, Hart (6) Lonzo Ball (7) United Center
0 		11–13
25 February 12 @ Dallas L 130–143 Zion Williamson (36) Willy Hernangómez (9) Lonzo Ball (7) American Airlines Center
Limited seating 		11–14
26 February 14 @ Detroit L 112–123 Ingram, Williamson (26) Steven Adams (12) Brandon Ingram (7) Little Caesars Arena
0 		11–15
27 February 16 @ Memphis W 144–113 Zion Williamson (31) Josh Hart (9) Brandon Ingram (7) FedEx Forum
1,982 		12–15
28 February 17 Portland L 124–126 Zion Williamson (36) Willy Hernangómez (17) Brandon Ingram (6) Smoothie King Center
1,940 		12–16
29 February 19 Phoenix L 114–132 Brandon Ingram (25) Willy Hernangómez (13) Lonzo Ball (12) Smoothie King Center
1,940 		12–17
30 February 21 Boston W 120–115 Brandon Ingram (33) Willy Hernangómez (13) Ball, Williamson (4) Smoothie King Center
1,940 		13–17
31 February 24 Detroit W 128–118 Zion Williamson (32) Steven Adams (15) Ball, Ingram (8) Smoothie King Center
2,700 		14–17
32 February 25 @ Milwaukee L 125–129 Zion Williamson (34) Steven Adams (13) Lonzo Ball (8) Fiserv Forum
1,800 		14–18
33 February 27 @ San Antonio L 114–117 Brandon Ingram (29) Zion Williamson (14) Ingram, Williamson (5) AT&T Center
0 		14–19
March: 7–6 (home: 5–4; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
34 March 1 Utah W 129–124 Ingram, Williamson (26) Steven Adams (11) Lonzo Ball (8) Smoothie King Center
2,700 		15–19
35 March 3 Chicago L 124–128 Zion Williamson (28) Zion Williamson (9) Eric Bledsoe (10) Smoothie King Center
2,700 		15–20
36 March 4 Miami L 93–103 Brandon Ingram (17) Josh Hart (8) Brandon Ingram (9) Smoothie King Center
2,700 		15–21
37 March 11 Minnesota L 105–135 Zion Williamson (24) Josh Hart (13) Lonzo Ball (7) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		15–22
38 March 12 Cleveland W 116–82 Brandon Ingram (28) Steven Adams (17) Lonzo Ball (6) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		16–22
39 March 14 L. A. Clippers W 135–115 Zion Williamson (27) Adams, Ball (8) Eric Bledsoe (8) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		17–22
40 March 16 @ Portland L 124–125 Brandon Ingram (30) Josh Hart (8) Lonzo Ball (17) Moda Center
0 		17–23
41 March 18 @ Portland L 93–101 Zion Williamson (26) Adams, Williamson (10) Lonzo Ball (8) Moda Center
0 		17–24
42 March 21 @ Denver W 113–108 Ingram, Williamson (30) Steven Adams (13) Brandon Ingram (8) Ball Arena
0 		18–24
43 March 23 L. A. Lakers W 128–111 Brandon Ingram (36) Josh Hart (15) Kira Lewis (6) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		19–24
44 March 26 Denver L 108–113 Zion Williamson (39) Zion Williamson (10) Eric Bledsoe (9) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		19–25
45 March 27 @ Dallas W 112–103 Zion Williamson (38) Josh Hart (10) Zion Williamson (6) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		20–25
46 March 29 @ Boston W 115–109 Zion Williamson (28) Josh Hart (15) Brandon Ingram (9) TD Garden
2,298 		21–25
April: 7–10 (home: 3–5; road: 4–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
47 April 1 Orlando L 110–115 Nickeil Alexander-Walker (31) Josh Hart (17) Eric Bledsoe (6) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		21–26
48 April 2 Atlanta L 103–126 Kira Lewis Jr. (21) Willy Hernangómez (9) James Johnson (6) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		21–27
49 April 4 @ Houston W 122–115 Lonzo Ball (27) Willy Hernangómez (12) Lonzo Ball (9) Toyota Center
3,268 		22–27
50 April 6 @ Atlanta L 107–123 Zion Williamson (34) Ball, Marshall (9) Lonzo Ball (11) State Farm Arena
2,816 		22–28
51 April 7 @ Brooklyn L 111–139 Eric Bledsoe (26) Willy Hernangómez (7) Johnson, Williamson (6) Barclays Center
1,773 		22–29
52 April 9 Philadelphia W 101–94 Zion Williamson (37) Zion Williamson (15) Zion Williamson (8) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		23–29
53 April 11 @ Cleveland W 116–109 Zion Williamson (38) Zion Williamson (9) Brandon Ingram (8) Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
4,148 		24–29
54 April 12 Sacramento W 117–110 Brandon Ingram (34) Steven Adams (16) Brandon Ingram (7) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		25–29
55 April 14 New York L 106–116 Brandon Ingram (28) Steven Adams (10) Ingram, Williamson (7) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		25–30
56 April 16 @ Washington L 115–117 (OT) Brandon Ingram (34) Steven Adams (12) Naji Marshall (6) Capital One Arena
0 		25–31
57 April 18 @ New York L 112–122 Zion Williamson (34) Steven Adams (14) Zion Williamson (5) Madison Square Garden
1,981 		25–32
58 April 20 Brooklyn L 129–134 Zion Williamson (33) Zion Williamson (7) Naji Marshall (7) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		25–33
59 April 22 @ Orlando W 135–100 Brandon Ingram (29) Willy Hernangómez (12) Lonzo Ball (12) Amway Center
3,411 		26–33
60 April 24 San Antonio L 108–110 Zion Williamson (33) Zion Williamson (14) Brandon Ingram (6) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		26–34
61 April 26 L. A. Clippers W 120–103 Zion Williamson (23) Willy Hernangómez (10) Lonzo Ball (7) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		27–34
62 April 28 @ Denver L 112–114 Brandon Ingram (27) Lonzo Ball (12) Lonzo Ball (12) Ball Arena
4,022 		27–35
63 April 29 @ Oklahoma City W 109–95 Zion Williamson (27) Ball, Hernangómez (10) Ball, Williamson (6) Chesapeake Energy Arena
0 		28–35
May: 3–6 (home: 1–2; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance		 Record
64 May 1 @ Minnesota W 140–136 Zion Williamson (37) Lonzo Ball (11) Ball, Williamson (8) Target Center
1,638 		29–35
65 May 3 Golden State L 108–123 Zion Williamson (32) Zion Williamson (8) Lonzo Ball (8) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		29–36
66 May 5 Golden State W 108–103 Lonzo Ball (33) Zion Williamson (12) Zion Williamson (7) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		30–36
67 May 7 @ Philadelphia L 107–109 Jaxson Hayes (19) Willy Hernangómez (9) Hernangómez, Marshall (5) Wells Fargo Center
5,119 		30–37
68 May 9 @ Charlotte W 112–110 Eric Bledsoe (24) Willy Hernangómez (16) Eric Bledsoe (11) Spectrum Center
4,196 		31–37
69 May 10 @ Memphis L 110–115 Nickeil Alexander-Walker (18) Naji Marshall (11) Nickeil Alexander-Walker (6) FedExForum
2,507 		31–38
70 May 12 @ Dallas L 107–125 Bledsoe, Hayes (15) Willy Hernangómez (10) Eric Bledsoe (4) American Airlines Center
4,373 		31–39
71 May 14 @ Golden State L 122–125 Nickeil Alexander-Walker (30) Naji Marshall (13) Alexander-Walker, Bledsoe (4) Chase Center
4,155 		31–40
72 May 16 L. A. Lakers L 98–110 Willy Hernangómez (19) Willy Hernangómez (13) Naji Marshall (7) Smoothie King Center
3,700 		31–41
2020–21 season schedule

Player statistics

[edit]
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game

Regular season

[edit]
Minnesota Timberwolves statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Eric Bledsoe 71 70 29.7 .421 .341 .687 3.4 3.8 .8 .3 12.2
Brandon Ingram 61 61 34.3 .466 .381 .878 4.9 4.9 .7 .6 23.8
Zion Williamson 61 61 33.2 .611 .294 .698 7.2 3.7 .9 .6 27.0
Jaxson Hayes 60 3 16.1 .625 .429 .775 4.3 .6 .4 .6 7.5
Steven Adams 58 58 27.7 .614 .000 .444 8.9 1.9 .9 .7 7.6
Lonzo Ball 55 55 31.8 .414 .378 .781 4.8 5.7 1.5 .6 14.6
Kira Lewis Jr. 54 0 16.7 .386 .333 .843 1.3 2.3 .7 .2 6.4
Willy Hernangómez 47 12 18.0 .563 .100 .667 7.1 1.1 .5 .5 7.8
Josh Hart 47 4 28.7 .439 .326 .775 8.0 2.3 .8 .3 9.2
Nickeil Alexander-Walker 46 13 21.9 .419 .347 .727 3.1 2.2 1.0 .5 11.0
Naji Marshall 32 10 21.9 .392 .349 .707 4.6 2.8 .8 .3 7.7
JJ Redick† 31 0 18.6 .407 .364 .957 1.7 1.3 .3 .1 8.7
James Johnson† 22 11 24.5 .434 .267 .596 4.1 2.2 .8 .9 9.2
Nicolò Melli† 22 0 11.0 .254 .189 .857 2.6 1.1 .4 .0 2.0
Wenyen Gabriel 21 0 11.5 .400 .406 .647 2.6 .5 .4 .4 3.4
Wes Iwundu† 18 1 13.9 .340 .111 .824 2.6 .4 .3 .1 2.8
Sindarius Thornwell† 14 1 5.2 .333 .333 .000 .4 .3 .4 .1 1.2
James Nunnally 9 0 5.3 .385 .333 .500 1.0 .3 .0 .0 1.7
Didi Louzada 3 0 18.7 .231 .250 1.0 1.0 .7 .0 2.7
Isaiah Thomas 3 0 16.0 .333 .250 1.000 1.3 1.7 .3 .0 7.7
Will Magnay 1 0 3.0 .000 .000 .0 .0 .0 .0 .0
  • † Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Pelicans only.

Transactions

[edit]
Main article: List of 2020–21 NBA season transactions

Trades

[edit]

Free agency

[edit]

Re-signed

[edit]
Player Signed

Additions

[edit]
Player Signed Former team

Subtractions

[edit]
Player Reason left New team

-->

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Alvin Gentry relieved of head coaching duties". NBA.com. August 15, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  2. ^ "Pelicans name Stan Van Gundy head coach". NBA.com. October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  3. ^ Clark, Christian. "Pelicans oficially [sic] eliminated from postseason contention after blowout loss to Mavericks". NOLA.com. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  4. ^ "New Orleans Pelicans and Stan Van Gundy mutually agree to part ways". NBA.com. June 16, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  5. ^ "Pelicans acquire Stanley Johnson, Jason Smith". NBA.com. February 7, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  6. ^ "Toronto Raptors to Start Season in Tampa". SI.com. November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  7. ^ "New Orleans vs. Dallas, Boston vs. Chicago games postponed". NBA.com. January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  8. ^ "San Antonio at New Orleans game postponed". NBA.com. January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
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