Pelicans' Struggles Continue as Raptors Soar to Victory
The New Orleans Pelicans' woes continued with a stark defeat to the Toronto Raptors, who clinched their first road win of the season with a decisive 119-93 victory. This loss marked the Pelicans' sixth consecutive defeat, leaving them with a disappointing 4-15 record in the Western Conference standings.
Despite the return of pivotal players like Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum, the Pelicans struggled to find their rhythm on the court. Murray, making his comeback after an extended absence of 17 games due to a fractured hand, voiced the frustration felt within the squad. "If you're not embarrassed and really mad about this, that's a problem," he stated candidly, reflecting the overall discontent in the locker room.
Meanwhile, McCollum, who returned after missing 13 games, acknowledged the balance issues resulting from frequent lineup changes. "When you've got guys in, guys out, it's really tough. But I think it's not tough to compete," he remarked, emphasizing the need for constant competitiveness despite adversity. The Raptors took full advantage of the Pelicans' vulnerabilities, hitting a season-high 21 three-pointers, a feat that underscored New Orleans' defensive deficiencies. "Either they got better overnight, or we've got to do a better job closing out and making it more difficult," McCollum acknowledged in light of the superior shooting performance delivered by the visitors.
Pelicans head coach Willie Green did not mince words when addressing the team’s lackluster performance. "We allowed a team to come on our home floor and really make us look soft. That can't happen," Green declared, calling for a renewed sense of resilience and competitive spirit among his players. The pressure mounts for New Orleans as they look to regroup with 63 games still remaining in the regular season.
Adding to the challenges faced by the Pelicans are injuries to key players Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, and Jose Alvarado, currently sidelined and significantly impacting team dynamics. The recent defeat leaves fans and players alike questioning the path forward.
Reflecting on the fan reaction during the game, Murray observed, "Like, even the fans booing -- I mean, what would you do if you was a fan paying your money?" His comments highlight the shared disappointment felt by both the team and its supporters.
As the Pelicans prepare for their upcoming game against the Memphis Grizzlies, there's an awareness that time is of the essence. "Time is ticking. And it isn't getting any easier," McCollum said. The challenge now is to translate their frustration into action, as Murray pointed out: "As soon as we get on that plane, we've got to lock in to understanding what just happened."
The loss to Toronto signifies a critical moment for the Pelicans. Each game presents an opportunity to overcome their current difficulties, with emphasis on resilience as noted by Green. With the season far from over, the Pelicans aim to turn things around and inspire confidence in their fan base once more.