# 2019–20 New Orleans Pelicans season

The 2019–20 New Orleans Pelicans season was the 18th season of the New Orleans Pelicans franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). On April 17, 2019, the Pelicans named David Griffin the executive vice president of basketball operations. On May 14, the Pelicans won the top draft choice, making it the second time in franchise history they won the lottery. Five days later, the Pelicans named former Brooklyn Nets assistant general manager Trajan Langdon their newest general manager, replacing interim general manager Danny Ferry.
This was the first season since 2011-12 that long-time power forward Anthony Davis was not on the roster, as he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers for Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, 3 future first round draft picks, and the right to swap first-round picks with the Lakers in 2023, on June 15, 2019. With the Lakers, Davis, along with LeBron James would go on to lead the Lakers to their 17th championship title and the franchise's first in the post-Kobe Bryant era. Five days trading Davis, on June 20, the Pelicans selected Duke phenom Zion Williamson first overall in the 2019 NBA draft, and due to an injury, he wouldn't play his first professional game until January 23, 2020, where in a game vs the San Antonio Spurs, he had dropped 22 points in just 18 minutes during the 4th quarter.
The season was suspended by the league officials following the games of March 11 after it was reported that Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19. On June 4, the Pelicans were named as one of the 22 teams heading to the NBA Bubble at Walt Disney World's ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex for the continuation of the NBA season. The Pelicans failed to qualify for the postseason for the second consecutive season following a loss to the San Antonio Spurs along with a win by the Trail Blazers over the Philadelphia 76ers on the same day. It was also the first time in his career that shooting guard JJ Redick missed the playoffs.

## Draft

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | Nationality | College / Club |
| 1 | 1 | Zion Williamson | PF | United States | Duke |
| 2 | 57 | Jordan Bone | PG | United States | Tennessee |
The Pelicans will hold the first pick in the draft this year due to them winning the NBA draft lottery, along with two second-round draft picks. On June 15, the Pelicans agreed to a trade involving star forward/center Anthony Davis where, in exchange for a few of the Los Angeles Lakers' young, promising players, they also acquired a multitude of first-round draft picks, one of which includes the fourth selection of this year's draft. However, the trade was not finalized until July 6. On the night of the draft, the Pelicans agreed to a deal with the Atlanta Hawks, where they would give up the Lakers' fourth pick of the draft (which became De'Andre Hunter from the University of Virginia), their 57th pick, a future second-round pick, and Solomon Hill in exchange for Picks 8, 17, and 35. Just like their trade with the Lakers, however, this trade wasn't finalized until July 6.
With the #1 of the draft, New Orleans selected star power forward Zion Williamson from Duke University. In his only season in Duke, Williamson earned many honors and awards for his play, including the consensus National College Player of the Year. With the 39th pick, the Pelicans acquired Serbian power forward Alen Smailagić from the Santa Cruz Warriors in the NBA G League, but traded him to the Golden State Warriors for two future second-round picks and cash considerations. With the 57th pick, the Pelicans selected point guard Jordan Bone from the University of Tennessee. He would end up being traded to the Detroit Pistons after multiple trades.

## Standings
### Division

| Southwest Division | W | L | PCT | GB | Home | Road | Div | GP |
| y – Houston Rockets | 44 | 28 | .611 | – | 24‍–‍12 | 20‍–‍16 | 8–5 | 72 |
| x – Dallas Mavericks | 43 | 32 | .573 | 2.5 | 20‍–‍18 | 23‍–‍14 | 10–4 | 75 |
| pi – Memphis Grizzlies | 34 | 39 | .466 | 10.5 | 20‍–‍17 | 14‍–‍22 | 4–9 | 73 |
| San Antonio Spurs | 32 | 39 | .451 | 11.5 | 19‍–‍15 | 13‍–‍24 | 7–6 | 71 |
| New Orleans Pelicans | 30 | 42 | .417 | 14.0 | 15‍–‍21 | 15‍–‍21 | 4–9 | 72 |

### Conference

Western Conference :
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | GP |
| 1 | c – Los Angeles Lakers * | 52 | 19 | .732 | – | 71 |
| 2 | x – Los Angeles Clippers | 49 | 23 | .681 | 3.5 | 72 |
| 3 | y – Denver Nuggets * | 46 | 27 | .630 | 7.0 | 73 |
| 4 | y – Houston Rockets * | 44 | 28 | .611 | 8.5 | 72 |
| 5 | x – Oklahoma City Thunder | 44 | 28 | .611 | 8.5 | 72 |
| 6 | x – Utah Jazz | 44 | 28 | .611 | 8.5 | 72 |
| 7 | x – Dallas Mavericks | 43 | 32 | .573 | 11.0 | 75 |
| 8 | x – Portland Trail Blazers | 35 | 39 | .473 | 18.5 | 74 |
| 9 | pi – Memphis Grizzlies | 34 | 39 | .466 | 19.0 | 73 |
| 10 | Phoenix Suns | 34 | 39 | .466 | 19.0 | 73 |
| 11 | San Antonio Spurs | 32 | 39 | .451 | 20.0 | 71 |
| 12 | Sacramento Kings | 31 | 41 | .431 | 21.5 | 72 |
| 13 | New Orleans Pelicans | 30 | 42 | .417 | 22.5 | 72 |
| 14 | Minnesota Timberwolves | 19 | 45 | .297 | 29.5 | 64 |
| 15 | Golden State Warriors | 15 | 50 | .231 | 34.0 | 65 |

## Game log
### Preseason

2019 preseason game log Total: 5–0 (Home: 1–0; Road: 4–0) :
Preseason: 5–0 (home: 1–0; road: 4–0)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
October 7
@ Atlanta
W 133–109
Jrue Holiday (21)
Zion Williamson (7)
Lonzo Ball (7)
State Farm Arena 15,441
1–0
2
October 9
@ Chicago
W 127–125
Zion Williamson (29)
Derrick Favors (9)
Lonzo Ball (9)
United Center 18,670
2–0
3
October 11
Utah
W 128–127
Zion Williamson (26)
Brandon Ingram (6)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (4)
Smoothie King Center 17,954
3–0
4
October 13
@ San Antonio
W 123–114
Zion Williamson (22)
Zion Williamson (10)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7)
AT&T Center 12,101
4–0
5
October 18
@ New York
W 117–116
Alexander-Walker, Hart (7)
Jahlil Okafor (9)
Moore, Holiday (4)
Madison Square Garden 19,812
5–0 :
2019–20 season schedule :

### Regular season

2019–20 game log Total: 30–42 (Home: 15–21; Road: 15–21) :
October: 1–4 (home: 1–2; road: 0–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
1
October 22
@ Toronto
L 122–130 (OT)
Brandon Ingram (22)
Josh Hart (10)
Jrue Holiday (6)
Scotiabank Arena 20,787
0–1
2
October 25
Dallas
L 116–123
Brandon Ingram (25)
Josh Hart (9)
Jrue Holiday (8)
Smoothie King Center 17,027
0–2
3
October 26
@ Houston
L 123–126
Brandon Ingram (35)
Brandon Ingram (15)
Lonzo Ball (10)
Toyota Center 18,055
0–3
4
October 28
Golden State
L 123–134
Brandon Ingram (27)
Brandon Ingram (10)
Lonzo Ball (9)
Smoothie King Center 17,307
0–4
5
October 31
Denver
W 122–107
Jahlil Okafor (26)
Okafor, Holiday, Hart, Alexander-Walker (5)
Lonzo Ball (8)
Smoothie King Center 16,613
1–4 :
November: 5–9 (home: 3–3; road: 2–6)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
6
November 2
@ Oklahoma City
L 104–115
JJ Redick (17)
Josh Hart (15)
Lonzo Ball (7)
Chesapeake Energy Arena 18,203
1–5
7
November 4
@ Brooklyn
L 125–135
Brandon Ingram (40)
Hart, Holiday (7)
Brandon Ingram (5)
Barclays Center 17,194
1–6
8
November 8
Toronto
L 104–122
Brandon Ingram (27)
Derrick Favors (10)
Jrue Holiday (6)
Smoothie King Center 16,337
1–7
9
November 9
@ Charlotte
W 115–110
Brandon Ingram (25)
Derrick Favors (10)
Jrue Holiday (11)
Spectrum Center 18,513
2–7
10
November 11
Houston
L 116–122
JJ Redick (24)
Derrick Favors (12)
Jrue Holiday (11)
Smoothie King Center 16,695
2–8
11
November 14
L. A. Clippers
W 132–127
Jrue Holiday (36)
Derrick Favors (20)
Jrue Holiday (7)
Smoothie King Center 17,147
3–8
12
November 16
@ Miami
L 94–109
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (27)
Melli, Williams (5)
E'Twaun Moore (5)
American Airlines Arena 19,600
3–9
13
November 17
Golden State
W 108–100
JJ Redick (26)
Hayes, Williams (10)
Jrue Holiday (9)
Smoothie King Center 16,812
4–9
14
November 19
Portland
W 115–104
Jrue Holiday (22)
Kenrich Williams (13)
Jrue Holiday (10)
Smoothie King Center 15,021
5–9
15
November 21
@ Phoenix
W 124–121
Brandon Ingram (28)
Kenrich Williams (9)
Jrue Holiday (9)
Talking Stick Resort Arena 13,903
6–9
16
November 23
@ Utah
L 120–128
Brandon Ingram (33)
JJ Redick (7)
Brandon Ingram (5)
Vivint Smart Home Arena 18,306
6–10
17
November 24
@ L. A. Clippers
L 109–134
Brandon Ingram (24)
Brandon Ingram (8)
Ingram, Ball (5)
Staples Center 19,068
6–11
18
November 27
L. A. Lakers
L 110–114
Jrue Holiday (29)
Brandon Ingram (10)
Jrue Holiday (12)
Smoothie King Center 18,626
6–12
19
November 29
@ Oklahoma City
L 104–109
Brandon Ingram (26)
Brandon Ingram (8)
Jrue Holiday (6)
Chesapeake Energy Arena 18,203
6–13 :
December: 5–10 (home: 2–6; road: 3–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
20
December 1
Oklahoma City
L 104–107
Jrue Holiday (26)
Josh Hart (11)
Lonzo Ball (7)
Smoothie King Center 15,427
6–14
21
December 3
Dallas
L 97–118
Brandon Ingram (24)
Hayes, Melli (8)
Brandon Ingram (6)
Smoothie King Center 14,664
6–15
22
December 5
Phoenix
L 132–139 (OT)
JJ Redick (26)
Jrue Holiday (7)
Lonzo Ball (11)
Smoothie King Center 15,607
6–16
23
December 7
@ Dallas
L 84–130
JJ Redick (15)
Jaxson Hayes (5)
Jrue Holiday (4)
American Airlines Center 19,456
6–17
24
December 9
Detroit
L 103–105
Brandon Ingram (31)
Kenrich Williams (8)
Hart, Holiday (5)
Smoothie King Center 13,694
6–18
25
December 11
@ Milwaukee
L 112–127
JJ Redick (31)
Brandon Ingram (10)
Ball, Holiday, Okafor (6)
Fiserv Forum 17,385
6–19
26
December 13
@ Philadelphia
L 109–116
Brandon Ingram (32)
Derrick Favors (8)
Jrue Holiday (10)
Wells Fargo Center 20,620
6–20
27
December 15
Orlando
L 119–130
Jrue Holiday (29)
Jaxson Hayes (7)
Jrue Holiday (8)
Smoothie King Center 15,388
6–21
28
December 17
Brooklyn
L 101–108 (OT)
Brandon Ingram (22)
Brandon Ingram (10)
Jrue Holiday (6)
Smoothie King Center 15,177
6–22
29
December 18
@ Minnesota
W 107–99
Brandon Ingram (34)
Derrick Favors (11)
Lonzo Ball (6)
Target Center 12,490
7–22
30
December 20
@ Golden State
L 102–106
Ingram, Holiday (25)
Derrick Favors (10)
Brandon Ingram (6)
Chase Center 18,064
7–23
31
December 23
@ Portland
W 102–94
Jrue Holiday (21)
Derrick Favors (13)
Ingram, Holiday (5)
Moda Center 19,499
8–23
32
December 25
@ Denver
W 112–100
Brandon Ingram (31)
Derrick Favors (13)
Favors, Holiday (8)
Pepsi Center 19,520
9–23
33
December 28
Indiana
W 120–98
Brandon Ingram (31)
Derrick Favors (16)
Ingram, Holiday (7)
Smoothie King Center 15,391
10–23
34
December 29
Houston
W 127–112
Ingram, Ball (27)
Derrick Favors (16)
Lonzo Ball (8)
Smoothie King Center 17,712
11–23 :
January: 9–6 (home: 4–4; road: 5–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
35
January 3
@ L. A. Lakers
L 113–123
Lonzo Ball (23)
Derrick Favors (14)
Jrue Holiday (6)
Staples Center 18,997
11–24
36
January 4
@ Sacramento
W 117–115
Lonzo Ball (24)
Derrick Favors (11)
Lonzo Ball (10)
Golden 1 Center 16,808
12–24
37
January 6
Utah
L 126–128
Brandon Ingram (35)
Derrick Favors (10)
Lonzo Ball (7)
Smoothie King Center 14,138
12–25
38
January 8
Chicago
W 123–108
Brandon Ingram (29)
Jaxson Hayes (12)
Brandon Ingram (11)
Smoothie King Center 15,324
13–25
39
January 10
@ New York
W 123–111
Brandon Ingram (28)
Hart, Hayes (10)
Lonzo Ball (11)
Madison Square Garden 18,003
14–25
40
January 11
@ Boston
L 105–140
Frank Jackson (22)
Lonzo Ball (13)
Lonzo Ball (9)
TD Garden 19,156
14–26
41
January 13
@ Detroit
W 117–110 (OT)
Jahlil Okafor (25)
Jahlil Okafor (14)
Lonzo Ball (9)
Little Caesars Arena 13,780
15–26
42
January 16
Utah
W 138–132 (OT)
Brandon Ingram (49)
Derrick Favors (11)
Lonzo Ball (13)
Smoothie King Center 16,717
16–26
43
January 18
L. A. Clippers
L 130–133
Derrick Favors (22)
Derrick Favors (11)
Lonzo Ball (11)
Smoothie King Center 17,959
16–27
44
January 20
@ Memphis
W 126–116
Jrue Holiday (36)
Lonzo Ball (9)
Brandon Ingram (6)
FedExForum 17,794
17–27
45
January 22
San Antonio
L 117–121
Ingram, Williamson (22)
Derrick Favors (10)
Lonzo Ball (12)
Smoothie King Center 18,365
17–28
46
January 24
Denver
L 106–113
JJ Redick (18)
Josh Hart (13)
Jrue Holiday (9)
Smoothie King Center 16,398
17–29
47
January 26
Boston
W 123–108
Jrue Holiday (25)
Zion Williamson (11)
Lonzo Ball (15)
Smoothie King Center 16,737
18–29
48
January 28
@ Cleveland
W 125–111
Jrue Holiday (28)
Zion Williamson (9)
Jrue Holiday (8)
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 19,432
19–29
49
January 31
Memphis
W 139–111
Zion Williamson (24)
Josh Hart (11)
Lonzo Ball (8)
Smoothie King Center 18,362
20–29 :
February: 6–4 (home: 2–2; road: 4–2)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
50
February 2
@ Houston
L 109–117
Brandon Ingram (28)
Brandon Ingram (12)
Lonzo Ball (9)
Toyota Center 18,055
20–30
51
February 4
Milwaukee
L 108–120
Brandon Ingram (32)
Lonzo Ball (14)
Holiday, Williamson (5)
Smoothie King Center 15,424
20–31
52
February 6
@ Chicago
W 125–119
Zion Williamson (21)
Derrick Favors (15)
Lonzo Ball (10)
United Center 18,247
21–31
53
February 8
@ Indiana
W 124–117
Jrue Holiday (31)
Derrick Favors (11)
Jrue Holiday (10)
Bankers Life Fieldhouse 17,923
22–31
54
February 11
Portland
W 138–117
Zion Williamson (31)
Melli, Williamson (9)
Ball, Holiday (10)
Smoothie King Center 15,739
23–31
55
February 13
Oklahoma City
L 118–123
Zion Williamson (32)
Derrick Favors (9)
Jrue Holiday (11)
Smoothie King Center 17,865
23–32
56
February 21
@ Portland
W 128–115
Zion Williamson (25)
Josh Hart (13)
Jrue Holiday (9)
Moda Center 19,946
24–32
57
February 23
@ Golden State
W 115–101
Zion Williamson (28)
Derrick Favors (11)
Jrue Holiday (15)
Chase Center 18,064
25–32
58
February 25
@ L. A. Lakers
L 109–118
Brandon Ingram (34)
Lonzo Ball (8)
Jrue Holiday (9)
Staples Center 18,997
25–33
59
February 28
Cleveland
W 116–104
Brandon Ingram (29)
Derrick Favors (15)
Lonzo Ball (12)
Smoothie King Center 18,304
26–33 :
March: 2–3 (home: 1–2; road: 1–1)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
60
March 1
L. A. Lakers
L 114–122
Zion Williamson (35)
Derrick Favors (14)
Lonzo Ball (9)
Smoothie King Center 18,547
26–34
61
March 3
Minnesota
L 134–139
Jrue Holiday (27)
Jrue Holiday (10)
Jrue Holiday (12)
Smoothie King Center 15,264
26–35
62
March 4
@ Dallas
L 123–127 (OT)
Brandon Ingram (27)
Derrick Favors (14)
Ball, Holiday (6)
American Airlines Center 20,459
26–36
63
March 6
Miami
W 110–104
Jrue Holiday (20)
Josh Hart (12)
Lonzo Ball (8)
Smoothie King Center 18,384
27–36
64
March 8
@ Minnesota
W 120–107
Jrue Holiday (37)
Brandon Ingram (12)
Ball, Holiday (8)
Target Center 18,978
28–36 :
Seeding games: 2–6 (home: 2–2; road: 0–4)
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
65
July 30
Utah
L 104–106
Brandon Ingram (23)
Favors, Ingram (8)
Lonzo Ball (7)
HP Field House No In-Person Attendance
28–37
66
August 1
@ L. A. Clippers
L 103–126
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (15)
Derrick Favors (9)
Frank Jackson (6)
HP Field House No In-Person Attendance
28–38
67
August 3
Memphis
W 109–99
Brandon Ingram (24)
Derrick Favors (13)
Lonzo Ball (6)
HP Field House No In-Person Attendance
29–38
68
August 6
@ Sacramento
L 125–140
Ingram, Williamson (24)
Jrue Holiday (5)
Lonzo Ball (11)
HP Field House No In-Person Attendance
29–39
69
August 7
Washington
W 118–107
Jrue Holiday (28)
Derrick Favors (10)
Jrue Holiday (6)
Visa Athletic Center No In-Person Attendance
30–39
70
August 9
San Antonio
L 113–122
JJ Redick (31)
Derrick Favors (12)
Lonzo Ball (10)
HP Field House No In-Person Attendance
30–40
71
August 11
@ Sacramento
L 106–112
Jahlil Okafor (21)
Josh Hart (10)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (6)
The Arena No In-Person Attendance
30–41
72
August 13
@ Orlando
L 127–133
Frank Jackson (31)
Josh Hart (14)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (7)
Visa Athletic Center No In-Person Attendance
30–42 :
Cancelled games
GameDateTeamScoreHigh pointsHigh reboundsHigh assistsLocation AttendanceRecord
65
March 11
@ Sacramento
Golden 1 Center
66
March 13
@ Utah
Vivint Smart Home Arena
67
March 14
@ LA Clippers
Staples Center
68
March 16
Atlanta
Smoothie King Center
69
March 18
San Antonio
Smoothie King Center
70
March 21
@ Memphis
FedExForum
71
March 22
Sacramento
Smoothie King Center
72
March 24
Memphis
Smoothie King Center
73
March 27
New York
Smoothie King Center
74
March 29
@ Orlando
Amway Center
75
March 31
@ Atlanta
State Farm Arena
76
April 1
@ Washington
Capital One Arena
77
April 5
@ San Antonio
AT&T Center
78
April 7
Charlotte
Smoothie King Center
79
April 9
Phoenix
Smoothie King Center
80
April 11
Philadelphia
Smoothie King Center
81
April 13
Washington
Smoothie King Center
82
April 15
@ San Antonio
AT&T Center :
2019–20 season schedule :

## Player statistics
### Regular season

New Orleans Pelicans statistics :
| Player | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| Josh Hart | 65 | 16 | 27.0 | .423 | .342 | .739 | 6.5 | 1.7 | 1.0 | .4 | 10.1 |
| Jaxson Hayes | 64 | 14 | 16.9 | .672 | .250 | .647 | 4.0 | .9 | .4 | .9 | 7.4 |
| Lonzo Ball | 63 | 54 | 32.1 | .403 | .375 | .566 | 6.1 | 7.0 | 1.4 | .6 | 11.8 |
| Brandon Ingram | 62 | 62 | 33.9 | .463 | .391 | .851 | 6.1 | 4.2 | 1.0 | .6 | 23.8 |
| Jrue Holiday | 61 | 61 | 34.7 | .455 | .353 | .709 | 4.8 | 6.7 | 1.6 | .8 | 19.1 |
| JJ Redick | 60 | 36 | 26.4 | .453 | .453 | .892 | 2.5 | 2.0 | .3 | .2 | 15.3 |
| Nicolò Melli | 60 | 8 | 17.4 | .421 | .335 | .740 | 3.0 | 1.4 | .6 | .4 | 6.6 |
| Frank Jackson | 59 | 2 | 13.5 | .405 | .326 | .747 | 1.4 | 1.0 | .3 | .1 | 6.3 |
| E'Twaun Moore | 56 | 6 | 18.2 | .426 | .377 | .689 | 2.3 | 1.4 | .6 | .2 | 8.3 |
| Derrick Favors | 51 | 49 | 24.4 | .617 | .143 | .563 | 9.8 | 1.6 | .6 | .9 | 9.0 |
| Nickeil Alexander-Walker | 47 | 1 | 12.6 | .368 | .346 | .676 | 1.8 | 1.9 | .4 | .2 | 5.7 |
| Kenrich Williams | 39 | 18 | 21.3 | .347 | .258 | .346 | 4.8 | 1.5 | .7 | .5 | 3.5 |
| Jahlil Okafor | 30 | 9 | 15.6 | .623 | .333 | .645 | 4.2 | 1.2 | .2 | .7 | 8.1 |
| Zion Williamson | 24 | 24 | 27.8 | .583 | .429 | .640 | 6.3 | 2.1 | .7 | .4 | 22.5 |
| Zylan Cheatham | 4 | 0 | 12.8 | .667 | .000 | | 2.3 | .8 | .3 | .3 | 3.0 |
| Sindarius Thornwell | 2 | 0 | 17.5 | .545 | .500 | .500 | 2.0 | 2.0 | .5 | .5 | 8.0 |
| Josh Gray | 2 | 0 | 11.5 | .500 | | | 1.0 | 1.0 | .0 | .0 | 1.0 |