Saturday night saw the New Orleans Pelicans bounce back with a decisive 126-111 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers, following a tough loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. While DeAndre Jordan's start at 37 grabbed initial headlines, it was Jordan Poole's resurgence that truly stole the show.
For Poole, this performance was crucial.
After being sidelined for the team's last nine games before the All-Star break, interim head coach James Borrego decided to reintroduce Poole into the rotation, and it paid off. Poole delivered an impressive 23 points, three rebounds, and five assists, shooting a solid 53.3 percent from the field.
The standout moment was his second-half surge, where he scored 18 of his 23 points, stepping up when the Pelicans needed offense the most. Whether it was nailing one-legged floaters or sinking deep threes, Poole was unstoppable.
With Dejounte Murray on the brink of returning, having been upgraded to questionable before Saturday's game, the Pelicans' backcourt is about to get crowded. However, Poole's standout performance against the 76ers may have cemented his place in the rotation.
The right performance at the right moment
Poole's display against Philadelphia was a stark reminder of his unique skill set-self-creation and floor-spacing-that no other Pelicans guard can quite replicate. Many fans have speculated about Poole's role in the second half of the season, especially with Murray's return looming. But after watching Poole drain five threes at home, it's clear he needs to remain a key part of the lineup.
Throughout the game, Poole played with a palpable chip on his shoulder, exuding confidence with every shot as if he had something to prove.
Previously, Poole was out of the rotation as the team explored trade options. Now, with the return of another guard threatening his role, this season could be pivotal for him. If Poole continues to play with this intensity, we might see more performances like Saturday night.
If Poole maintains this level of play, New Orleans could become a formidable opponent in the playoff race. Despite their 16-42 record, the Pelicans have the talent to surprise teams down the stretch.