Pelicans shootaround update: Zion Williamson questionable vs. Grizzlies due to illness

New Orleans lost three of the first four games Zion Williamson did not play in this season, but then registered a 20-point victory at Washington last week without the power forward, part of the team’s current four-game win streak. The Pelicans hope to not have to test out their ability to play without Williamson again on Tuesday vs. Memphis, but the 23-year-old is now listed as questionable to play due to a non-Covid illness. Meanwhile, forward Naji Marshall (right ankle sprain) was upgraded this morning to probable from questionable.

TNT is broadcasting Tuesday’s game to a national audience and anticipated a matchup featuring the top two picks of the 2019 NBA Draft, but Williamson’s status is now uncertain. Williamson and Memphis guard Ja Morant have only met a total of six times over the past four-plus years, with the most recent encounter being Dec. 31 of last year. Williamson is 4-2 in those games (2-0 in New Orleans, 1-0 in the Orlando bubble, 1-2 in Memphis).

Pelicans vs. Grizzlies Pregame Report 12/19/2023

Other notes from shootaround:

New Orleans led the NBA in three-point percentage defense last season and is fourth in 2023-24, demonstrating that it may not have been a fluke (opponents are shooting just 34.4 percent from deep). Marshall said the Pelicans’ size, particularly among their wing defenders, helps shrink the floor for other teams. It also helps that Herb Jones might be the NBA’s most effective shot-blocker against three-point attempts. …

Marshall on Jose Alvarado’s recent excellent play: “No matter what happens, whether he misses shots or gets scored on, he’s going to play with all of his energy and be as happy as he can on the floor. That’s really what’s helped him shake back and get him back into his groove.”

Naji Marshall previews game vs. Memphis | Pelicans vs. Grizzlies Shootaround 12/19/2023

Offensive efficiency rank: 30 (105.9)

Defensive efficiency rank: 11 (112.6)

Net rating rank: 24 (-6.7)

Go-to guy: It’s been shooting guard Desmond Bane over the first 25 games of the regular season, but that will likely immediately – or very soon – shift to point guard Morant, who’s making his 2023-24 debut Tuesday, following a 25-game suspension. Bane has tried to keep the NBA’s lowest-rated offense afloat by averaging 24.6 points on efficient shooting splits of 47/38/85. Morant averaged 26.2 points last season over 61 appearances.

On the rise: One of 13 Grizzlies players who’ve started at least one game this season, forward/center Santi Aldama is averaging a career-high 12.1 points, joining Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and currently-sidelined Marcus Smart as a Memphis double-digit scorer. A third-year pro, Aldama was the No. 30 pick of the 2021 NBA Draft, five slots before Herb Jones was picked.

Previous Game Starting Lineups

Monday loss at Oklahoma City

Jacob Gilyard, Desmond Bane, Vince Williams Jr., Jaren Jackson Jr., Xavier Tillman Sr.

Notes: This became the 13th different starting combination used by the Grizzlies this season. Their most common has gone 0-5; the most effective is 3-1 and features Derrick Rose, Bane, David Roddy, Jackson and Bismack Biyombo. … Memphis will submit its official injury report prior to the league-mandated 1 p.m. deadline for the second game of back-to-backs. … The Grizzlies are 7.5 games behind 10th-place Phoenix (14-12) for the final West play-in spot.

Sunday win at San Antonio

CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas

Notes: The Pelicans have used nine different starting combinations this season. This group is the most common, sporting an 8-2 record. It has been intact for three of the four games on the team’s current four-game winning streak. … Kira Lewis Jr., Larry Nance Jr. and Matt Ryan are out Tuesday. … New Orleans is seventh in the West, but a win Tuesday will guarantee it moves into the top six following Wednesday’s games, because Dallas (16-10) and the LA Clippers (16-10) play each other tomorrow in Texas.

KEEP CLICKINGNew Orleans is in the midst of its best offensive stretch of the season, averaging 130.3 points and 29.8 assists during a four-game winning streak. Ranked 11th on defense, Memphis presents a much weightier challenge than what the Pelicans have faced over their last three games (Washington, Charlotte and San Antonio all rank among the NBA’s bottom seven in defensive efficiency).MATCHUP TO WATCH, PART IThere seemed to be some uncertainty on whether Morant would make his season debut Tuesday in the Smoothie King Center, or at home Thursday vs. Indiana, but the Grizzlies need wins as soon as possible. New Orleans defenders such as Jones, Marshall, Dyson Daniels and Alvarado will try to make Morant work hard for points and assists in his first NBA game since April.MATCHUP TO WATCH, PART IIAt center, Valanciunas has been in beast mode in December, notching a double-double in all four of New Orleans’ victories during its active win streak. One of his two former NBA teams, Memphis has been forced to patchwork its center position due to costly injuries (Steven Adams is out for the season, while Brandon Clarke remains out due to a torn Achilles in March).