Jamahl Mosley didn’t get much comfort from the Pelicans’ starting five in their preseason opener, but the bench may have handed him something to build on.
The first group was rough from the jump: no real offensive flow, shaky defense, and spacing that never seemed to open up. The second unit, though, looked like a different team. Jordan Poole, Jeremiah Fears, Bennedict Mathurin, Saddiq Bey, and Derik Queen formed a five-man group that played with pace, shared the ball cleanly, and looked far more in sync than the starters.
Yes, it’s fair to say reserves usually bring more juice in preseason because everyone is trying to win a role. That part is obvious.
But there still appeared to be something tangible about that group, especially in the way they attacked the game. If Mosley’s arrival has centered the conversation around defense, one preseason game didn’t exactly make that feel like the obvious identity of this roster.
What did look real was the possibility of this team leaning on bench scoring and depth as a major strength.
The second unit checked the right boxes. They ran whenever the chance was there.
Poole pushed the tempo and attacked the rim. Mathurin fired a pass ahead to Fears for a three.
A stop turned into a quick bucket on the other end. Even when the game slowed down, they got into their actions faster and played with more purpose on the ball.
There’s also a bigger-picture angle here. If Zion Williamson and the older part of the Pelicans’ core don’t end up working out, the combination of Mathurin, Fears, Bey, and Queen is at least an interesting one to think about going forward.
And it wasn’t only that group. The Pelicans’ third unit finished the job in the fourth quarter and closed out the win.
Not every one of those players is going to make a consistent NBA impact right away, but Karlo Matkovic, Trendon Watford, and Bryce McGowens all have a case to be rotational pieces in the league. They’re New Orleans’ 11th, 12th, and 13th men, and that kind of depth gives Mosley a lot of lineup flexibility.
Different skill sets. Different looks.
More options against different opponents.
That depth angle isn’t new. It’s been one of the clearest positives attached to this team all offseason.
The problem is that none of it matters much if the starters play like they did Tuesday. A strong bench can win you a few games, and top-five bench scoring can make life easier for everyone else.
But the starters still have to establish the tone and finish games, and it’s fair to wonder whether the top-end talent Mosley has is enough to do that consistently.
Could this all be an overreaction to one preseason game? Absolutely.
Could it mean very little once the games start counting? Sure.
But after what feels like forever without Pelicans basketball, the overreactions aren’t going anywhere. Stay tuned for more after Thursday’s game.
In Other News...
Pelicans Debut Under Jahmal Mosley Brought Promise And Two Clear Concerns
Jahmal Mosleys first look at the Pelicans came with enough encouraging signs to make the preseason opener feel worthwhile, even in a game that was more about process than result. New Orleans knocked off Oklahoma City 116-110, and the mix of starters and bench players gave the new staff a chance to see how the pieces fit, with the reserve group helping fuel a pivotal run that shifted the games tone.
Still, the film likely will not be all flattering. The Pelicans had visible defensive lapses at times and some familiar problems at the free throw line, two areas that can quietly shape games once the games start counting. On the brighter side, Zion Williamson even took and made a few three-pointers, a small but notable sign of how the offense may continue to stretch under this setup while the team sorts out the rough edges. [Read more 🡒]
Pelicans Got An Early Look At One Depth Battle That Matters
The preseason meeting with Oklahoma City gave the Pelicans a useful early glimpse at how some of the rosters younger pieces might fit into the broader picture. In a 116-110 win, New Orleans got to watch a Thunder group packed with rookies and other young players handle a bigger workload than usual, which is exactly the sort of setting teams use to sort through depth questions before the games start to count.
Jaron Pierre Jr. was part of that look for New Orleans, coming off the bench and turning in a modest showing in limited minutes. For a Pelicans team trying to identify who can help beyond the established rotation, these early exhibitions matter less for the final score than for the competition they reveal, and this one offered a first pass at a depth battle that could carry real weight later on. [Read more 🡒]
Zion Williamson Just Gave Pelicans Fans A Real Reason For Optimism
The preseason may not carry the weight of the regular season, but Zion Williamson gave Pelicans fans a familiar jolt early against the Thunder at BOK Center. A notable dunk from Williamson was the kind of explosive moment that immediately cuts through October rust, and more importantly for New Orleans, it served as another reminder of his health and readiness heading into the season.
Jamahl Mosley also kept the focus on the bigger picture, pointing to accountability and defensive responsibilities as the standard the Pelicans need to build around. For a team trying to establish consistency, that combination of Zion looking physically ready and the coaching staff demanding sharper habits is exactly the sort of early sign New Orleans was hoping to see. [Read more 🡒]