Pelicans Struggling with Injuries: Can the 76ers Bounce Back from Setbacks?
Pelicans vs. Sixers: A Struggling Showdown, Can Injuries Be Overcome?
The New Orleans Pelicans are set to face off against the Philadelphia 76ers this Friday night at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. This inter-conference battle is crucial for both teams as they fight to recover from a series of setbacks this season. With a 7-31 record, the Pelicans are struggling in a season marred by injuries, while the 15-20 Sixers are in the midst of their own challenges.
New Orleans Pelicans: Injury Woes and a Season to Forget
The New Orleans Pelicans have faced a disastrous start to their 2025 campaign. After a 119-100 home loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, the Pelicans have now lost 22 of their last 25 games. They were once again without their star forward Zion Williamson, who has been nursing a hamstring injury. His availability remains uncertain, as he aims for a full recovery. Additionally, Brandon Ingram missed his 14th consecutive game due to an ankle injury, and Herb Jones, already sidelined earlier in the season with a shoulder injury, was forced to leave Wednesday’s game in the third quarter with the same issue.
The Pelicans’ offense has struggled significantly, ranking 28th in the NBA in points per game, 26th in three-point shooting, and 28th in three-pointers made per game. These offensive struggles have been compounded by defensive issues, where New Orleans sits 24th in scoring defense, 29th in field goal defense, and 24th in defending the three-pointer. Their shooting inefficiencies and lack of consistency on both ends of the floor make them a vulnerable team.
Despite these hurdles, the Pelicans made an off-season trade to boost their roster by acquiring guard Dejounte Murray from the Atlanta Hawks. However, injuries have prevented the team from seeing its full potential on the floor, and Murray himself has been affected by injuries early in the season. With key players like Williamson and Ingram often sidelined, the Pelicans have already fallen over 20 games below .500, making their playoff hopes slim at best.
On a more positive note, CJ McCollum has been a reliable scorer for the Pelicans, leading the team with 23 points in their latest loss. Murray has also contributed with 20 points, but with the team’s injury-riddled lineup, their prospects for turning things around are uncertain.
Philadelphia 76ers: Can They Regain Form Amid Injuries?
The Philadelphia 76ers entered the 2025 season with high expectations after acquiring veteran All-Star Paul George to complement MVP candidate Joel Embiid and the emerging Tyrese Maxey. However, things have not gone as planned. Injuries have plagued the team, and with a 15-20 record, the Sixers find themselves outside the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference.
Embiid, who has been dealing with multiple injuries this season, sat out the Sixers’ latest win against the Washington Wizards. In his absence, Maxey led the team with 29 points, including a crucial game-winning shot in the final moments. Paul George, Kyle Lowry, and Andre Drummond were also sidelined for the contest, leaving the team depleted but still managing a hard-fought 109-103 victory.
Philadelphia’s offensive struggles mirror those of the Pelicans, as they rank 27th in the league in points per game, 25th in field goal shooting, and 25th in three-point shooting. Despite these challenges, the Sixers have been solid on defense, ranking 11th in scoring defense and second in forced turnovers per game. However, they have struggled to secure rebounds, ranking 29th in the league in total rebounds per game.
Much like New Orleans, the Sixers are still looking to find consistency, especially with key players like Embiid and George struggling to stay healthy. The team is in a critical position to string together some wins to climb back into playoff contention in the Eastern Conference.
Conclusion
With both teams grappling with injuries and underperforming, this game promises to be a test of resilience. The Pelicans will need to lean on the leadership of McCollum and Murray to generate offense, but they will be severely outmatched if Williamson and Ingram remain unavailable. On the other hand, the Sixers are also relying on the health and production of their stars—especially Embiid and Maxey—if they hope to break through and make a playoff push.
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