Pelicans’ Young Bench Trio Offers a Glimmer of Hope in a Tough Season
It’s been a rough ride for the New Orleans Pelicans this year. Sitting at the bottom of the NBA standings with a 10-35 record after a tough loss to Houston, there haven’t been many reasons for optimism. But even in a season where wins are hard to come by, there’s one area that’s quietly giving Pelicans fans something to look forward to: the bench.
While the starting unit has struggled to find rhythm and consistency, New Orleans' second unit has emerged as a rare bright spot. Saddiq Bey, Jordan Poole, and even Zion Williamson-who’s seen time coming off the bench-have all had their moments. But the real story lies with three young players who have consistently brought energy, effort, and production: Micah Peavy, Yves Missi, and Karlo Matković.
These aren’t just feel-good stories-they’re becoming foundational pieces in what could be a promising second unit for the future. Peavy, a rookie, and Missi and Matković, both in their second seasons, are showing signs that they belong in the league-and more importantly, that they can be difference-makers in the right role.
Bench Production That’s Turning Heads
Let’s start with the numbers. The Pelicans rank 12th in the NBA in bench scoring, averaging 38.3 points per game from the second unit.
That might not sound jaw-dropping at first glance, but put it in context: this is a team that ranks just 21st in overall scoring. That means roughly a third of the Pelicans’ offensive output is coming from the bench-a significant chunk for a team still trying to establish its identity.
And while scoring is part of the story, it’s far from the whole picture. What really sets Peavy, Missi, and Matković apart is their motor.
Every time they check in, they bring a level of hustle and grit that’s hard to teach. Whether it’s diving for loose balls, crashing the glass, sprinting back on defense, or making the kind of second and third efforts that don’t always show up on the stat sheet, these three are changing the energy of games.
Jordan Poole might be the guy who can come in and light it up offensively, but Peavy, Missi, and Matković are the ones who flip the momentum with sheer effort. They do the dirty work-the kind of plays that coaches love and teammates feed off of.
Advanced Metrics Back It Up
And it’s not just about the eye test. The advanced numbers are telling a similar story.
Yves Missi currently leads the entire team in net rating, a stat that measures the point differential when a player is on the floor. Peavy ranks fourth, and Matković is 11th.
That’s not a coincidence-it’s a reflection of the impact they’re making in their minutes.
Defensively, the trio is just as impressive. All three rank in the top four on the team in defensive rating, with Matković leading the way. That’s a strong indicator of how well they’re holding their own on that end of the floor, especially considering they’re often matched up against opposing second units that include veteran scorers.
Now, it’s fair to point out that advanced stats can sometimes be skewed for bench players, especially in smaller sample sizes. But over the course of a long season, consistency starts to separate the flash-in-the-pan performances from the players who are truly making an impact. And so far, Peavy, Missi, and Matković have shown they belong in that latter category.
Building Blocks for the Future
When you’re building toward contention in the NBA, depth isn’t just a luxury-it’s a necessity. The best teams in the league don’t just have star power; they have reliable second units that can hold leads, change tempo, and bring fresh legs with purpose.
The Pelicans aren’t there yet-not even close. But what they do have is a trio of young, hungry players who are carving out roles and giving the team a much-needed spark. That kind of development matters, especially in a season where the playoff picture is out of reach and the focus shifts toward building for the future.
Micah Peavy, Yves Missi, and Karlo Matković aren’t just filling minutes-they’re earning them. And in a season full of frustration, that’s something New Orleans can hang its hat on.
There’s still a long road ahead, but if the Pelicans can continue to develop this young core and surround them with the right pieces, this second unit could be a key part of the turnaround. For now, they’re giving fans a reason to keep watching-and that’s no small thing in a season like this.