Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Game-high 30 points in defeat
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Williamson racked up 30 points (9-18 FG, 12-15 FT), six rebounds, three assists and two blocks in 28 minutes during Monday's 127-81 loss to the Pistons.
Williamson posted a game-high 30 points, marking his seventh 30-plus-point outing over 29 regular-season appearances. Additionally, the star forward tied the game-high mark in blocks, racking up multiple swats for the seventh time on the season. Williamson also knocked down a season-high 12 shots from the charity stripe, and he was a bright spot during a rough showing for the Pelicans on Monday.
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Pelicans' Yves Missi: Double-doubles in defeat
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Missi had 12 points (4-7 FG, 4-6 FT), 10 rebounds and two blocks in 22 minutes during Monday's 127-81 loss to the Pistons.
Missi recorded his 11th double-double on the season during his return from a two-game absence streak due to a sprained left ankle. He has now logged double-digit rebounds in 20 of his 64 regular-season appearances. Additionally, the rookie big man tied the game-high mark in blocks, racking up multiple swats for the 24th game this season.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Struggles in blowout loss
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McCollum chipped in three points (1-15 FG, 0-7 3Pt, 1-5 FT), five assists, four rebounds and two steals over 30 minutes during Monday's 127-81 loss to the Pistons.
McCollum delivered an abysmal performance from the field Monday, recording a season-low three points. The star combo guard has scored single-digit points in two of his last three outings, during which he has shot only 29.8 percent from the field. On the bright side, McCollum collected multiple swipes for the seventh time on the season.
Pelicans' Trey Murphy: Out for remainder of season
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Murphy sustained a season-ending torn labrum in his right shoulder during Monday's 127-81 loss to the Pistons, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
Murphy dove for a loose ball and exited to the locker room less than a minute into the game. The 24-year-old swingman was in the midst of a career-best year, and he contributed averages of 21.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.0 three-pointers, 1.1 steals and 0.8 blocks across 35.6 minutes per contest in 52 regular-season games entering Monday. He also shot a fairly respectable 45.4 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from downtown. Murphy may undergo surgery depending on the severity of the injury, though the Pelicans are expected to provide updates whenever appropriate. Jordan Hawkins, Bruce Brown and Antonio Reeves are candidates for a bump in playing time due to Murphy being sidelined.
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Pelicans' Bruce Brown: Ejected Monday
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Brown was ejected from Monday's game against the Pistons, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
After arguing with the officials, Brown was tossed from Monday's contest. The veteran swingman's night ends after logging two points (1-4 FG) and one rebound in 15 minutes off the bench. Antonio Reeves should see some extra minutes down the stretch Monday, while Brown's next game action arrives Wednesday against the Timberwolves.
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Pelicans' Trey Murphy: Won't return Monday
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Murphy won't return to Monday's game against the Pistons due to a right shoulder injury, though his X-rays came back negative.
Murphy exited to locker room after diving for a loose ball less than one minute into the game. He finished with no counting stats in that minute. The 24-year-old has been a reliable option for the Pelicans of late, and while he's sidelined, Jordan Hawkins and Bruce Brown will likely see an uptick in playing time.
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Pelicans' Trey Murphy: Heads to locker room Monday
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Murphy went to the locker room in the first quarter of Monday's game against Detroit due to a shoulder injury, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Murphy looked to be in serious pain after diving for a loose ball early in the first quarter. He had his shoulder checked on by trainers before heading to the locker room, and Jordan Hawkins should see a significant increase in playing time for as long as Murphy is sidelined.
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Pelicans' Bruce Brown: Moving to bench
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Brown isn't starting Monday's game against the Pistons.
Brown has started his team's last three games but will shift to a bench role Monday considering New Orleans has managed to shake the injury bug. He's been unable to score in double figures in his last 13 appearances as a reserve.
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Pelicans' Karlo Matkovic: Sliding to second unit Monday
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Matkovic won't start in Monday's game against the Pistons.
The 23-year-old center will slide to the bench due to Yves Missi returning to game action. Matkovic has started in two of the club's last five outings, and he has averaged 11.8 points and 7.8 rebounds across 24.4 minutes per contest in that five-game span.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Will return Monday
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Williamson (personal) is available for Monday's game against the Pistons, Erin Summers of the Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network reports.
Williamson didn't play in Saturday's loss to the Spurs due to personal reasons, but he will make his return Monday. The 2019 first-overall pick has averaged 23.9 points on 59.3 percent shooting, 7.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.8 blocks over 29.1 minutes per game over his last 10 outings.
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Pelicans' Yves Missi: Available to play Monday
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Missi (ankle) is available for Monday's game against the Pistons.
After missing the last two games with a sprained left ankle, Missi has been cleared to play Monday. The rookie first-rounder's return should send Karlo Matkovic back to the bench against Detroit. Over six games this month, Missi has averaged 8.8 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.0 steals and 0.7 blocks in 26.9 minutes.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Cleared to play Monday
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Olynyk (finger) is available for Monday's game against the Pistons.
Olynyk popped up on Sunday's injury report due to a left finger sprain, but the issue isn't severe enough for him to miss Monday's game. He's coming off a well-rounded game against the Spurs on Saturday, finishing with 14 points, seven assists, six rebounds and one steal over 31 minutes.
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Pelicans' Yves Missi: Iffy to play Monday
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Missi (ankle) is listed as questionable for Monday's game against the Pistons.
Missi has missed the last two games due to a left ankle sprain, but he has a chance to return Monday. He has averaged 10.0 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.9 blocks over 26.5 minutes per game since the All-Star break. Karlo Matkovic would continue to see an increased workload if Missi is ruled out for Monday's contest.
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Pelicans' Zion Williamson: Iffy for Monday
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Williamson (personal) is questionable for Monday's game against the Pistons.
Williamson could miss a second straight contest due to personal reasons. Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Bruce Brown would be candidates for increased minutes if Williamson is unable to play.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Working through finger sprain
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Olynyk is listed as questionable for Monday's game against Detroit due to a left finger sprain.
Olynyk may have picked up the injury during the Pelicans' loss to the Spurs on Saturday. Karlo Matkovic, Bruce Brown and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl would stand to see their minutes increase if Olynyk is unable to play Monday. Olynyk has averaged 10.6 points, 7.1 rebounds and 3.8 assists over 25.8 minutes per game since the All-Star break.
Pelicans' Bruce Brown: Drops 19 points in starting role
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Brown provided 19 points (8-13 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 2-2 FT), six rebounds and six assists in 32 minutes during Saturday's 119-115 loss to the Spurs.
Brown drew another start Saturday, marking his third consecutive appearance with the first unit. The sixth-year pro was a product of the Brandon Ingram trade, and the team will give him an opportunity to prove his worth while they struggle through the remainder of the regular season. A knee injury forced Brown to miss several games this season, but he appears to be past the issue now.
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Pelicans' Kelly Olynyk: Excels in spot start
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Olynyk accumulated 14 points (7-12 FG), six rebounds, seven assists and one steal over 31 minutes during Saturday's 119-115 loss to the Spurs.
Olynyk filled in for Zion Williamson (personal) and posted a solid stat line. The veteran big man has occasionally popped with impressive totals since joining the Pelicans, but the standout performances have been limited to spot starts and cleanup work. Although the Pelicans were forced to part with Brandon Ingram in the trade that netted Olynyk, New Orleans also received two draft picks from the Raptors and appears to have gotten the better half of the deal. Yves Missi, Karlo Matkovic and Mo Bamba are above Olynyk on the depth chart at center, but the latter remains very capable of manning the four as he did during Saturday's loss.
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Pelicans' CJ McCollum: Flirts with double-double in loss
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McCollum ended Saturday's 119-115 loss to the Spurs with 26 points (10-22 FG, 5-12 3Pt, 1-1 FT), seven rebounds, nine assists and one steal over 33 minutes.
McCollum continues to be a prolific producer during the Pelicans' lost season. The veteran guard bounced back from a modest nine-point performance against the Magic to lead the team in scoring. McCollum is now averaging 17.6 points, 5.3 assists and 3.6 rebounds across seven March contests.
