2020–21 New Orleans Pelicans season

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2020–21 New Orleans Pelicans season
Head coachStan Van Gundy
General managerTrajan Langdon
Owner(s)Gayle Benson
ArenaSmoothie King Center
Results
Record31–41 (.431)
PlaceDivision: 4th (Southwest)
Conference: 11th (Western)
Playoff finishDid not qualify

Stats at Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionBally Sports New Orleans
RadioWWL-FM
< 2019–20 2021–22 >

The 2020–21 New Orleans Pelicans season was the 19th season of the New Orleans Pelicans franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). On August 15, 2020, the New Orleans Pelicans fired head coach Alvin Gentry after five seasons with the team.[1] On October 22, 2020, the Pelicans hired Stan Van Gundy as their new head coach, who was also fired on June 16, 2021, after just one season with the team.[2] The Pelicans failed to qualify for the postseason for the third consecutive season following a loss to the Dallas Mavericks on May 12, 2021.[3]

Following the season, the Pelicans and head coach Stan Van Gundy mutually agree to part ways.[4]

Draft

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College / Club
1 13 Kira Lewis Jr. PG  United States Alabama
2 39 Elijah Hughes SF  United States Syracuse
2 42 Nick Richards C  Jamaica Kentucky
2 60 Sam Merrill SG  United States Utah State

After their March 11, 2020 game against the Sacramento Kings was postponed due to COVID-19 concerns with a referee, the Pelicans and Kings were stuck with a tied record for the best odds at the #12 pick of the 2020 NBA draft during the Suspension of the 2019–20 NBA season. However, as one of the teams invited to the 2020 NBA Bubble, it gave them a chance to move their selection up with a potential playoff spot earned there. Due to poor performances in the bubble, the Pelicans failed to gain any ground there. Even worse, despite gaining an extra loss, their first-round pick moved to #13 instead due to the Kings winning their tiebreaker via March 11 records. The Pelicans also held three second-round picks, with two of the three picks acquired via a three-way trade involving the Milwaukee Bucks and Detroit Pistons.[5]

Roster

2020–21 New Orleans Pelicans roster
Players Coaches
Pos. No. Name Height Weight DOB From
C 12 Adams, Steven 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1993-07-20 Pittsburgh
G 6 Alexander-Walker, Nickeil 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1998-09-02 Virginia Tech
G 2 Ball, Lonzo 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1997-10-27 UCLA
G 5 Bledsoe, Eric 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 214 lb (97 kg) 1989-12-09 Kentucky
F 32 Gabriel, Wenyen 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1997-03-26 Kentucky
G 3 Hart, Josh 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1995-03-06 Villanova
F/C 10 Hayes, Jaxson 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2000-05-23 Texas
F/C 9 Hernangómez, Willy 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 250 lb (113 kg) 1994-05-27 Spain
F 14 Ingram, Brandon 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1997-09-02 Duke
F 4 Iwundu, Wes 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1994-12-20 Kansas State
F 16 Johnson, James 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1987-02-20 Wake Forest
G 13 Lewis, Kira 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2001-04-06 Alabama
G 0 Louzada, Didi 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 1999-07-02 Brazil
F 8 Marshall, Naji 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1998-01-24 Xavier
F 21 Nunnally, James (TW) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1990-07-14 UC Santa Barbara
F 1 Williamson, Zion 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 284 lb (129 kg) 2000-07-06 Duke
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured Injured

Roster
Last transaction: May 7, 2021

Standings

Division

Southwest DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
yDallas Mavericks4230.58321–1521–157–572
xMemphis Grizzlies3834.5284.018–1820–166–672
piSan Antonio Spurs3339.4589.014–2219–176–672
New Orleans Pelicans3141.43111.018–1813–236–672
Houston Rockets1755.23625.09–278–285–772

Conference

Western Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1zUtah Jazz *5220.72272
2yPhoenix Suns *5121.7081.072
3xDenver Nuggets4725.6535.072
4xLos Angeles Clippers4725.6535.072
5yDallas Mavericks *4230.58310.072
6xPortland Trail Blazers4230.58310.072
7xLos Angeles Lakers4230.58310.072
8piGolden State Warriors3933.54213.072
9xMemphis Grizzlies3834.52814.072
10piSan Antonio Spurs3339.45819.072
11New Orleans Pelicans3141.43121.072
12Sacramento Kings3141.43121.072
13Minnesota Timberwolves2349.31929.072
14Oklahoma City Thunder2250.30630.072
15Houston Rockets1755.23635.072

Notes

  • z – Clinched home court advantage for the entire playoffs
  • c – Clinched home court advantage for the conference playoffs
  • y – Clinched division title
  • x – Clinched playoff spot
  • pb – Clinched play-in spot
  • o – Eliminated from playoff contention
  • * – Division leader

Game log

Preseason

2020 preseason game log
Total: 2–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 1–0)
Preseason: 2–0 (home: 1–0; road: 1–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 December 11 @ Miami W 114–92 Zion Williamson (26) Zion Williamson (11) Brandon Ingram (6) AmericanAirlines Arena
0
1–0
2 December 18 vs Milwaukee W 127–113 Zion Williamson (31) Adams, Williamson (9) Lonzo Ball (8) Smoothie King Center
0
2–0
2020–21 season schedule

Regular season

2020–21 game log
Total: 30–41 (Home: 17–18; Road: 13–23)
December: 3–2 (home: 1–0; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 December 23 @ Toronto W 113–99 Brandon Ingram (24) Zion Williamson (10) Brandon Ingram (11) Amalie Arena[6]
0
1–0
2 December 25 @ Miami L 98–111 Zion Williamson (32) Zion Williamson (14) Ball, Bledsoe (6) American Airlines Arena
Limited seating
1–1
3 December 27 San Antonio W 98–95 Brandon Ingram (28) Brandon Ingram (11) Brandon Ingram (6) Smoothie King Center
Limited seating
2–1
4 December 29 @ Phoenix L 86–111 Zion Williamson (20) Adams, Melli (8) Brandon Ingram (6) PHX Arena
0
2–2
5 December 31 @ Oklahoma City W 113–80 Brandon Ingram (12) Steven Adams (10) Lonzo Ball (9) Chesapeake Energy Arena
0
3–2
January: 4–9 (home: 3–4; road: 1–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
6 January 2 Toronto W 120–116 Brandon Ingram (31) Steven Adams (10) Eric Bledsoe (10) Smoothie King Center
Limited seating
4–2
7 January 4 Indiana L 116–118 (OT) Brandon Ingram (31) Eric Bledsoe (11) Brandon Ingram (8) Smoothie King Center
Limited seating
4–3
8 January 6 Oklahoma City L 110–111 Zion Williamson (29) Adams, Ingram (11) Steven Adams (10) Smoothie King Center
Limited seating
4–4
9 January 8 Charlotte L 110–118 Zion Williamson (26) Hart, Ingram, Williamson (8) Brandon Ingram (8) Smoothie King Center
Limited seating
4–5
January 11 @ Dallas Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: May 12)[7]
10 January 13 @ L. A. Clippers L 106–111 Nickeil Alexander-Walker (37) Jaxson Hayes (10) Steven Adams (15) Staples Center
0
4–6
11 January 15 @ L. A. Lakers L 95–112 Zion Williamson (21) Zion Williamson (12) Brandon Ingram (5) Staples Center
0
4–7
12 January 17 @ Sacramento W 128–123 Zion Williamson (31) Steven Adams (15) Alexander-Walker, Lewis Jr. (5) Golden 1 Center
0
5–7
13 January 19 @ Utah L 102–118 Zion Williamson (32) Zion Williamson (9) Ball, Ingram (4) Vivint Smart Home Arena
Limited seating
5–8
14 January 21 @ Utah L 118–128 Zion Williamson (27) Steven Adams (16) Lonzo Ball (5) Vivint Smart Home Arena
Limited seating
5–9
15 January 23 @ Minnesota L 110–120 Brandon Ingram (30) Zion Williamson (11) Lonzo Ball (7) Target Center
0
5–10
January 25 San Antonio Postponed (COVID-19) (Makeup date: April 24)[8]
16 January 27 Washington W 124–106 Ingram, Williamson (32) Steven Adams (18) Brandon Ingram (8) Smoothie King Center
Limited seating
6–10
17 January 29 Milwaukee W 131–126 Brandon Ingram (28) Steven Adams (20) Lonzo Ball (8) Smoothie King Center
Limited seating
7–10
18 January 30 Houston L 112–126 Zion Williamson (26) Lonzo Ball (8) Eric Bledsoe (5) Smoothie King Center
Limited seating
7–11
February: 7–8 (home: 5–3; road: 2–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
19 February 1 Sacramento L 109–118 Brandon Ingram (20) Josh Hart (13) Lonzo Ball (5) Smoothie King Center
1,440
7–12
20 February 3 Phoenix W 123–101 Zion Williamson (28) Steven Adams (13) Ingram, Williamson (6) Smoothie King Center
1,440
8–12
21 February 5 @ Indiana W 114–113 Brandon Ingram (30) Steven Adams (12) Brandon Ingram (7) Bankers Life Fieldhouse
0
9–12
22 February 6 Memphis W 118–109 Zion Williamson (29) Brandon Ingram (12) Lonzo Ball (7) Smoothie King Center
1,440
10–12
23 February 9 Houston W 130–101 Brandon Ingram (22) Josh Hart (17) Zion Williamson (7) Smoothie King Center
1,900
11–12
24 February 10 @ Chicago L 116–129 Zion Williamson (29) Adams, Hart (6) Lonzo Ball (7) United Center
0
11–13
25 February 12 @ Dallas L 130–143 Zion Williamson (36) Willy Hernangómez (9) Lonzo Ball (7) American Airlines Center
Limited seating
11–14
26 February 14 @ Detroit L 112–123 Ingram, Williamson (26) Steven Adams (12) Brandon Ingram (7) Little Caesars Arena
0
11–15
27 February 16 @ Memphis W 144–113 Zion Williamson (31) Josh Hart (9) Brandon Ingram (7) FedEx Forum
1,982
12–15
28 February 17 Portland L 124–126 Zion Williamson (36) Willy Hernangómez (17) Brandon Ingram (6) Smoothie King Center
1,940
12–16
29 February 19 Phoenix L 114–132 Brandon Ingram (25) Willy Hernangómez (13) Lonzo Ball (12) Smoothie King Center
1,940
12–17
30 February 21 Boston W 120–115 Brandon Ingram (33) Willy Hernangómez (13) Ball, Williamson (4) Smoothie King Center
1,940
13–17
31 February 24 Detroit W 128–118 Zion Williamson (32) Steven Adams (15) Ball, Ingram (8) Smoothie King Center
2,700
14–17
32 February 25 @ Milwaukee L 125–129 Zion Williamson (34) Steven Adams (13) Lonzo Ball (8) Fiserv Forum
1,800
14–18
33 February 27 @ San Antonio L 114–117 Brandon Ingram (29) Zion Williamson (14) Ingram, Williamson (5) AT&T Center
0
14–19
March: 7–6 (home: 5–4; road: 2–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
34 March 1 Utah W 129–124 Ingram, Williamson (26) Steven Adams (11) Lonzo Ball (8) Smoothie King Center
2,700
15–19
35 March 3 Chicago L 124–128 Zion Williamson (28) Zion Williamson (9) Eric Bledsoe (10) Smoothie King Center
2,700
15–20
36 March 4 Miami L 93–103 Brandon Ingram (17) Josh Hart (8) Brandon Ingram (9) Smoothie King Center
2,700
15–21
37 March 11 Minnesota L 105–135 Zion Williamson (24) Josh Hart (13) Lonzo Ball (7) Smoothie King Center
3,700
15–22
38 March 12 Cleveland W 116–82 Brandon Ingram (28) Steven Adams (17) Lonzo Ball (6) Smoothie King Center
3,700
16–22
39 March 14 L. A. Clippers W 135–115 Zion Williamson (27) Adams, Ball (8) Eric Bledsoe (8) Smoothie King Center
3,700
17–22
40 March 16 @ Portland L 124–125 Brandon Ingram (30) Josh Hart (8) Lonzo Ball (17) Moda Center
0
17–23
41 March 18 @ Portland L 93–101 Zion Williamson (26) Adams, Williamson (10) Lonzo Ball (8) Moda Center
0
17–24
42 March 21 @ Denver W 113–108 Ingram, Williamson (30) Steven Adams (13) Brandon Ingram (8) Ball Arena
0
18–24
43 March 23 L. A. Lakers W 128–111 Brandon Ingram (36) Josh Hart (15) Kira Lewis (6) Smoothie King Center
3,700
19–24
44 March 26 Denver L 108–113 Zion Williamson (39) Zion Williamson (10) Eric Bledsoe (9) Smoothie King Center
3,700
19–25
45 March 27 @ Dallas W 112–103 Zion Williamson (38) Josh Hart (10) Zion Williamson (6) Smoothie King Center
3,700
20–25
46 March 29 @ Boston W 115–109 Zion Williamson (28) Josh Hart (15) Brandon Ingram (9) TD Garden
2,298
21–25
April: 7–10 (home: 3–5; road: 4–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
47 April 1 Orlando L 110–115 Nickeil Alexander-Walker (31) Josh Hart (17) Eric Bledsoe (6) Smoothie King Center
3,700
21–26
48 April 2 Atlanta L 103–126 Kira Lewis Jr. (21) Willy Hernangómez (9) James Johnson (6) Smoothie King Center
3,700
21–27
49 April 4 @ Houston W 122–115 Lonzo Ball (27) Willy Hernangómez (12) Lonzo Ball (9) Toyota Center
3,268
22–27
50 April 6 @ Atlanta L 107–123 Zion Williamson (34) Ball, Marshall (9) Lonzo Ball (11) State Farm Arena
2,816
22–28
51 April 7 @ Brooklyn L 111–139 Eric Bledsoe (26) Willy Hernangómez (7) Johnson, Williamson (6) Barclays Center
1,773
22–29
52 April 9 Philadelphia W 101–94 Zion Williamson (37) Zion Williamson (15) Zion Williamson (8) Smoothie King Center
3,700
23–29
53 April 11 @ Cleveland W 116–109 Zion Williamson (38) Zion Williamson (9) Brandon Ingram (8) Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse
4,148
24–29
54 April 12 Sacramento W 117–110 Brandon Ingram (34) Steven Adams (16) Brandon Ingram (7) Smoothie King Center
3,700
25–29
55 April 14 New York L 106–116 Brandon Ingram (28) Steven Adams (10) Ingram, Williamson (7) Smoothie King Center
3,700
25–30
56 April 16 @ Washington L 115–117 (OT) Brandon Ingram (34) Steven Adams (12) Naji Marshall (6) Capital One Arena
0
25–31
57 April 18 @ New York L 112–122 Zion Williamson (34) Steven Adams (14) Zion Williamson (5) Madison Square Garden
1,981
25–32
58 April 20 Brooklyn L 129–134 Zion Williamson (33) Zion Williamson (7) Naji Marshall (7) Smoothie King Center
3,700
25–33
59 April 22 @ Orlando W 135–100 Brandon Ingram (29) Willy Hernangómez (12) Lonzo Ball (12) Amway Center
3,411
26–33
60 April 24 San Antonio L 108–110 Zion Williamson (33) Zion Williamson (14) Brandon Ingram (6) Smoothie King Center
3,700
26–34
61 April 26 L. A. Clippers W 120–103 Zion Williamson (23) Willy Hernangómez (10) Lonzo Ball (7) Smoothie King Center
3,700
27–34
62 April 28 @ Denver L 112–114 Brandon Ingram (27) Lonzo Ball (12) Lonzo Ball (12) Ball Arena
4,022
27–35
63 April 29 @ Oklahoma City W 109–95 Zion Williamson (27) Ball, Hernangómez (10) Ball, Williamson (6) Chesapeake Energy Arena
0
28–35
May: 3–6 (home: 1–2; road: 2–4)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
64 May 1 @ Minnesota W 140–136 Zion Williamson (37) Lonzo Ball (11) Ball, Williamson (8) Target Center
1,638
29–35
65 May 3 Golden State L 108–123 Zion Williamson (32) Zion Williamson (8) Lonzo Ball (8) Smoothie King Center
3,700
29–36
66 May 5 Golden State W 108–103 Lonzo Ball (33) Zion Williamson (12) Zion Williamson (7) Smoothie King Center
3,700
30–36
67 May 7 @ Philadelphia L 107–109 Jaxson Hayes (19) Willy Hernangómez (9) Hernangómez, Marshall (5) Wells Fargo Center
5,119
30–37
68 May 9 @ Charlotte W 112–110 Eric Bledsoe (24) Willy Hernangómez (16) Eric Bledsoe (11) Spectrum Center
4,196
31–37
69 May 10 @ Memphis L 110–115 Nickeil Alexander-Walker (18) Naji Marshall (11) Nickeil Alexander-Walker (6) FedExForum
2,507
31–38
70 May 12 @ Dallas L 107–125 Bledsoe, Hayes (15) Willy Hernangómez (10) Eric Bledsoe (4) American Airlines Center
4,373
31–39
71 May 14 @ Golden State L 122–125 Nickeil Alexander-Walker (30) Naji Marshall (13) Alexander-Walker, Bledsoe (4) Chase Center
4,155
31–40
72 May 16 L. A. Lakers L 98–110 Willy Hernangómez (19) Willy Hernangómez (13) Naji Marshall (7) Smoothie King Center
3,700
31–41
2020–21 season schedule

Transactions

Trades

Free agency

Re-signed

Player Signed

Additions

Player Signed Former team

Subtractions

Player Reason left New team

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References

  1. ^ "Alvin Gentry relieved of head coaching duties". NBA.com. August 15, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  2. ^ "Pelicans name Stan Van Gundy head coach". NBA.com. October 22, 2020. Retrieved October 22, 2020.
  3. ^ Clark, Christian. "Pelicans oficially [sic] eliminated from postseason contention after blowout loss to Mavericks". NOLA.com. Retrieved July 4, 2021.
  4. ^ "New Orleans Pelicans and Stan Van Gundy mutually agree to part ways". NBA.com. June 16, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021.
  5. ^ "Pelicans acquire Stanley Johnson, Jason Smith". NBA.com. February 7, 2019. Retrieved October 27, 2020.
  6. ^ "Toronto Raptors to Start Season in Tampa". SI.com. November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  7. ^ "New Orleans vs. Dallas, Boston vs. Chicago games postponed". NBA.com. January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  8. ^ "San Antonio at New Orleans game postponed". NBA.com. January 25, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.