New Orleans Pelicans Blog – Page 23 – NBA Blog

Wizards set to face Pelicans

A post shared by New Orleans Pelicans (@pelicansnba) on Dec 16, 2017 at 10:00am PST

The Wizards are set to face the Pelicans tonight. An intriguing matchup for anybody in the league, the Pelicans have two of the biggest names in the NBA frontcourt world: DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis. But the team as a whole is 15-15, tied for the 7th best record in the Western conference. Very solid, but unspectacular.

Here’s NBC Sports Washington discussing the Pels:

Few teams in the NBA offer a matchup problem as unique as the New Orleans Pelicans, who feature two All-Star big men in Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins. One is lanky with arms that reach to the sky. The other is wider and known for his brute strength. Both can move and shoot unusually well for their size.

On Tuesday night, the Wizards will see the Pelicans’ twin towers for the first time since Cousins landed in New Orleans. He was acquired from the Kings in a Feb. 20 trade, just 16 days after the second and final meeting between the teams in the 2016-17 season.

Cousins is a player the Wizards know well. He and Wizards guard John Wall teamed up at the University of Kentucky back in the 2009-10 season before the two were drafted into the NBA. Veteran players on the Wizards have played against both Cousins and Davis over the years. But now they have to deal with them at the same time.

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Tony Allen out 3-4 weeks with injury

Pelicans guard Tony Allen will be out of action for the next 3-4 weeks. The team announced today that the veteran has been diagnosed with a non-displaced left proximal fibula fracture.

Allen, who is 6-4 and 213, has played a limited role on the team. He is averaging 4.7 points and 2.1 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game and has not been a serious factor.

Known as a defensive stopper, Allen has played in 820 career regular season NBA games, with an average of 8.1 points and 3.5 rebounds in 22.0 minutes per outing. He has played for Boston, Memphis and New Orleans.

Pelicans waive Josh Smith

The New Orleans Pelicans have waived forward Josh Smith.

Smith, 6-9, 225, was originally signed by New Orleans on October 28.

It’s unclear if Smith will be back in the NBA. He’s only 31 but his game appears to be in serious decline.

The Pelicans roster currently stands at 17, including two two-way players.

Pelicans sign Josh Smith

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today the team has signed forward Josh Smith after receiving an injury hardship exemption by the NBA.

Smith, 6-9, 225, most recently played for Sichuan Blue Whales of the Chinese Basketball Association, appearing in 26 games in China, Smith averaged 18.8 points, 10.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.0 blocks.

A 12-year NBA veteran, Smith has appeared in 891 career regular season games (772 starts) with Atlanta, Detroit, Houston and the Los Angeles Clippers, holding career averages of 14.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.9 blocks in 32.5 minutes per game. Additionally, Smith has appeared in 73 career postseason games (60 starts), averaging 14.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.5 blocks in 31.6 minutes.

Selected 17th overall by Atlanta in the 2004 NBA Draft out of Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.), Smith was named to the NBA All-Defensive Team in 2010.

Smith will wear #5 and be available for New Orleans’ game tonight against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Smoothie King Center.

Pelicans waive Jordan Crawford, sign Jameer Nelson

The New Orleans Pelicans announced today the team has signed guard Jameer Nelson. And in a subsequent move, the Pelicans have waived guard Jordan Crawford.

Nelson, 6-0, 190, most recently played for the Denver Nuggets. In 148 games (59 starts) from 2014-17, Nelson averaged 8.9 points, 4.7 assists and 2.5 rebounds. Last season, Nelson averaged 9.2 points, 5.1 assists and 2.6 rebounds in 27.3 minutes over 75 games for Denver.

A 13-year NBA veteran, Nelson has appeared in 828 career regular season games (639 starts) with Orlando, Dallas, Boston and Denver, holding career averages of 11.7 points, 5.2 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 0.9 steals in 28.4 minutes per game. Additionally, Nelson has appeared in 44 career postseason games, averaging 15.0 points, 4.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 0.8 steals. During the 2008-09 season, Nelson helped the Orlando Magic reach the NBA Finals.

Selected 20th overall by Denver in the 2004 NBA Draft out of St. Joseph’s (PA), Nelson was named an All-Star in 2009, averaging a career-best 16.7 points, 5.4 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.

Nelson will be available for New Orleans’ game tonight at the STAPLES Center against the Los Angeles Lakers.

In two games for New Orleans this season, Crawford, 6-4, 195, has averaged 9.0 points, 5.0 assists and 1.0 rebounds in 18.5 minutes.

Alexis Ajinca out with knee injury

New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca sustained an injury to his knee patellar tendonitis, the team announced today.

Ajinca underwent successful bilateral knee injections yesterday by Pelicans Director of Medical Services/Head Team Physician Dr. Misty Suri and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.

Fortunately for the Pelicans, they’re super-strong at the center and power forward spots, with DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis as starters. Ajinca is a backup, but will still be missed.

Pelicans waive Cliff Alexander and Perry Jones

The New Orleans Pelicans have waived forwards Cliff Alexander and Perry Jones.

Alexander, 6-8, 245, appeared in all four of the Pelicans’ preseason contests, averaging 2.3 points and 3.8 rebounds in just under nine minutes per game.

Jones, 6-11, 235, appeared in three preseason games for New Orleans and averaged 3.3 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in just over 15 minutes per contest.

Rajon Rondo injury update

New Orleans Pelicans guard Rajon Rondo underwent successful surgery this morning to repair a core muscle injury, the team announced today. The injury occurred during New Orleans’ preseason game at Oklahoma City on October 6.

The surgery was performed by Dr. William Meyers in Philadelphia. Rondo is expected to be out approximately 4-6 weeks.

Pelicans re-sign Dante Cunningham

The New Orleans Pelicans have re-signed forward Dante Cunningham.

Cunningham, 6-8, 230, originally signed with New Orleans on December 4, 2014. In 212 regular season games with New Orleans, Cunningham has averaged 5.9 points and 3.6 rebounds in 24.9 minutes per game. Last season, Cunningham appeared in 66 games (35 starts) for the Pelicans, averaging 6.6 points while shooting .392 from three-point range, and 4.2 rebounds in 25.0 minutes per contest.

Originally drafted 33rd overall by Portland in the 2009 NBA Draft out of Villanova, Cunningham has appeared in 578 career regular season games with Portland, Charlotte, Memphis, Minnesota and New Orleans, with career averages of 6.1 points and 3.8 rebounds in 21.4 minutes.

Pelicans sign Tony Allen

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed free agent guard/forward Tony Allen.

Allen, 6-4, 213, most recently played for the Memphis Grizzlies from 2010-17, appearing in 462 regular season games (359 starts) and averaging 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.7 steals. This past season for Memphis, Allen averaged 9.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.6 steals in 71 games (66 starts).

Originally drafted 25th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2004 NBA Draft out of Oklahoma State, the Chicago native has appeared in 798 regular season games with Boston and Memphis (441 starts), holding career averages of 8.2 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.4 steals. During his 13-year career, Allen has been named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team three times (2012, 2013, 2015) and the Second Team three times (2011, 2016, 2017), joining LeBron James (6) and Chris Paul (9) as the only active NBA players named to at least six NBA All-Defensive Teams.

Additionally, Allen has appeared in 112 career postseason games (50 starts), averaging 6.0 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals, while helping Boston capture the 2008 NBA Championship.