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.
CJ McCollum’s Heroics Lead Pelicans to Much-Needed Victories
Photo by Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
The New Orleans Pelicans finally have something to celebrate after securing back-to-back wins against the Washington Wizards. CJ McCollum led the charge with a spectacular 50-point performance on Friday, tying his career-high and providing a much-needed spark for the struggling team.
McCollum’s shooting was nothing short of phenomenal, going 18-for-27 from the field and draining an impressive 10 three-pointers. His efforts were crucial in securing a close victory that wasn’t decided until late in the fourth quarter.
The veteran guard carried his hot streak into Sunday’s game, contributing 25 points to help the Pelicans complete the sweep of the Wizards. These wins, while coming against a weaker opponent, offer a glimmer of hope for a team that has faced significant challenges this season.
Trey Murphy’s Development and Injury Concern
Trey Murphy has been a bright spot for the Pelicans, showcasing his potential as a reliable scoring option. Over his last 11 games, Murphy has averaged nearly 24 points per game while shooting 39% from beyond the arc. His improved playmaking and defensive contributions have been notable as well.
However, Murphy’s progress hit a snag when he left Sunday’s game with an ankle injury. The severity of the injury is yet to be determined, but any extended absence could hinder the Pelicans’ plans to build chemistry with their core players as they look ahead to next season.
Jose Alvarado’s Energetic Return
The return of Jose Alvarado provided an immediate boost to the Pelicans’ second unit. Despite being on a minutes restriction, Alvarado’s energy and defensive intensity were evident, particularly in a sequence that led to a fast-break opportunity. His presence alone seemed to elevate the team’s overall performance and inject some much-needed enthusiasm into the lineup.
For more insights and a deeper dive into the Pelicans’ recent performances, tune into the Locked On Pelicans podcast for this and much more.
Other Topics in Today’s Locked On Pelicans Podcast:
• Dejounte Murray’s improved play and triple-double performance
• The importance of the next few months for the Pelicans’ future
• Yves Missi’s development and potential as a rim-running big man
• Potential trade scenarios involving CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram
Jan 4, 2025; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama (1) greets Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) before a game at Frost Bank Center. | Scott Wachter/Scott Wachter-Imagn Images
Casting a cursory eye up and down the standings this weekend, I noticed some appearances that made me take a second look. This went for teams for climbing and sliding. So, I’m introducing a potentially recurring feature called “Monday movers”, highlighting teams jostling and jockeying in the standings, likely bound to get more contentious as the season goes on.
San Antonio Spurs
What a thrill it must be for long-suffering Spurs fans to take a glance at the West’s top 10 and see their team there, after so many seasons spent hanging around the bottom of the conference. What a thrill it was for me, too!
It’s not all because of Victor Wembanyama, but the phenom did hit two milestones this weekend: he played his 100th NBA game and he turned 21. His in-game numbers are similarly worth celebrating.
He’s the first player since Shaquille O’Neal to average at least 20 points and 10 rebounds before turning 21, and the 7th player in the last 45 years to score over 2,200 points (he’s scored 2,278) through his first 100 games. Other than Bill Walton and Brad Daugherty, Wembanyama’s the only other 7-foot center with 385+ assists before turning 21, though their first 100 games. He’s also put up more threes than Steph Curry did, with 225 to Curry’s 200 through their first 100 games.
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.
Home and Away
Analysis Jamal Murray’s triple-double and CJ McCollum’s 25 points were pivotal in the New Orleans Pelicans’ recent victory. This game showcased the growing synergy and potential within the team’s dynamic. Key performances like these are crucial for their season’s success. (NOLA.com)
Trade The New Orleans Pelicans face a crucial decision regarding CJ McCollum as the trade deadline approaches. Strategic moves could significantly impact the team’s playoff aspirations. The organization needs to consider McCollum’s future with the franchise. (Pelican Brief)
Trades The Jimmy Butler vs. Heat saga escalated quickly: Here’s what we know. (ESPN)
Biz Amazon adds Blake Griffin and Dirk Nowitzki to its inaugural studio coverage for the 2025-2026 season. (The Athletic)
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.
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