Jake Madison here, the host of the daily Locked On Pelicans podcast, with your daily Locked On Pelicans newsletter. Each day we bring you the biggest stories about the Pelicans and the NBA, including the hottest links to other stories you need to read. Plus, Josh Lloyd delivers daily fantasy notes to crush your league.
Zion Williamson’s Potential Return Sparks Excitement
Photo by Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
Zion Williamson’s potential return to the court is generating buzz among New Orleans Pelicans fans. Listed as questionable for the upcoming game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Williamson’s status upgrade from out to questionable signals a significant step forward in his recovery process.
The timing of Williamson’s return could be crucial for the Pelicans’ playoff aspirations. With the team facing a back-to-back set against the Timberwolves and Trail Blazers, strategic decisions loom regarding which game Williamson might suit up for. The coaching staff will likely prioritize easing him back into action, potentially implementing a minutes restriction similar to Jose Alvarado’s recent return.
Williamson’s imminent return also raises questions about the team’s long-term vision. His performance in the coming weeks could shape the franchise’s direction and roster construction moving forward. The Pelicans’ front office will be closely monitoring his impact and fit within the current lineup.
Trade Rumors and Roster Flexibility
As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Pelicans find themselves at the center of various trade scenarios. One intriguing possibility involves facilitating a multi-team deal centered around Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler. Such a move could potentially reshape the Pelicans’ roster and salary cap situation.
A hypothetical trade involving Brandon Ingram has sparked debate among fans and analysts. While Ingram’s talent is undeniable, exploring trade options could provide the Pelicans with increased financial flexibility and a chance to address specific roster needs. Any potential deal would need to carefully balance short-term competitiveness with long-term sustainability.
The Pelicans’ front office faces critical decisions in the coming weeks. Balancing Williamson’s return, potential trades, and playoff aspirations will require careful consideration and strategic planning. As the team navigates this pivotal stretch, fans eagerly await the next moves that could shape the franchise’s future.
For more insights and a deeper dive into Zion Williamson’s return and potential trade scenarios, tune into the Locked On Pelicans podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pelicans Podcast:
• New traffic plan for Pelicans home games during Super Bowl period
• Analysis of potential Jimmy Butler trades involving the Pelicans
• Impact of Trey Murphy’s injury status on team rotation
Have we already seen a Finals preview to start 2025?
Jan 5, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) shoots the ball over Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) during the fourth quarter at Paycom Center. | Alonzo Adams/Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images
It’s just one game, I whisper to myself, as Shai Gilgeous-Alexander launches a three with lofty clearance over Jrue Holiday.
It’s just one game, I say, shaking my head as if to clear it when Isaiah Joe on a fastbreak flings the ball around Sam Hauser in hot pursuit, giving Hauser a ring of Saturn in basketball form for a split second, to Aaron Wiggins, shadowing them, for a tidy pop-up shot.
It’s just one game, I say, voice rising, whenGilgeous-Alexander pins the ball, barely out of Tatum’s hand, against the backboard for a block and then, immediately at the other end, lobs it to Isaiah Hartenstein for a dunk.
Sunday’s match between the Thunder and Celtics was just one game, and it’s only just January, but the contest showed what could very believably be a Finals preview. It also showed how OKC can aim to beat Boston in a series.
The Celtics are a machine, and like a machine, they are mechanical. Their dominance comes through the intuitive, expert understanding of what they are good at and how to deploy it, and what they are good at is launching threes. In Sunday’s game, the Celtics took 46 3-pointers. While they only made nine of them (for comparison, the Thunder were 16-of-38 from three), Boston is still shooting the most from deep in the league — sometimes as any as 20 more than their opponents over the course of a game.
The teams that are seeing success in recent wins over the Celtics aren’t necessarily attempting to limit Boston’s three-point attempts. With so many players capable of shooting the three ball it’s a futile effort and expends a lot of wasted energy. What they are doing, and what the Thunder did, is find ways to momentarily jam the machines.
The Thunder moved the ball more, they pressured Boston in the midrange and under the basket, they looked for any gap in the machine’s cogs they could wedge themselves into. Boston used to be way more susceptible to flustering, they abhorred a team that played a messy, gritty, or in any way abrasive style. It’s why the Heat have been so good at beating them in the postseason, because those Miami teams stopped at nothing to make things miserable and didn’t mind playing knee deep in the muck.
Katie Heindl is a credentialed NBA and WNBA writer, her bylines have appeared with The New York Times Magazine, SLAM, The Athletic, Yahoo Sports, Dime, Rolling Stone, among others. She writes the bestselling Substack, Basketball Feelings and is working on a book of the same name.
Injury New Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson is listed as questionable for the upcoming game against the Timberwolves due to an undisclosed injury. His potential absence could impact the Pelicans’ performance significantly. (NOLA.com)
Milestone C.J. McCollum made Pelicans history with a dominant game against the Wizards, showcasing his significant impact and solidifying his place in the franchise’s records. (Pelican Brief)
Ranking The Pelicans have climbed in the NBA power rankings, reflecting their improved performance and strategic plays this season, while the Miami Heat slide post Jimmy Butler’s trade request. (Bleacher Report)
Preview The Minnesota Timberwolves will go up against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center at 8:00 PM ET. Read the preview.(NBA)
Fantasy Cheat Sheet
A Closer Look at Brice Sensabaugh’s Scoring Surge
Jan 5, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; Utah Jazz guard Brice Sensabaugh (28) is interviewed by Seg Media reporter, Lauren Green following a game against the Orlando Magic at Kia Center. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images | Russell Lansford/Russell Lansford-Imagn Images
One of the most intriguing developments on Sunday came from the Utah Jazz, where rookie Brice Sensabaugh has suddenly burst onto the scene with a scoring explosion.
Sensabaugh dropped 27 points against the Orlando Magic, following up a 34-point performance in his previous outing. That’s a staggering 61 points over two games for a player who had been largely off the fantasy radar. His usage rate has skyrocketed to over 30% in these contests, and he’s been scorching hot from beyond the arc, hitting 12 of 17 three-point attempts.
However, before we rush to add Sensabaugh in all leagues, it’s crucial to examine the context of his breakout. The Jazz were missing several key players, including Lauri Markkanen, John Collins, and Jordan Clarkson. This opened up a significant opportunity for Sensabaugh to showcase his scoring prowess.
The sustainability of Sensabaugh’s production is questionable. His three-point shooting percentage is bound to regress, and when the Jazz get healthier, his minutes and usage are likely to decrease. That said, he’s shown enough to warrant consideration as a streaming option in deeper leagues, particularly when Utah is shorthanded.
Click the button below for more insights, including another Thunder player to keep an eye on for your fantasy roster.
Don’t let these episodes pass you by — stay locked in with the latest Locked On Pelicans podcasts.
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