The New Orleans bench looks quite a bit different than it did even a few days ago, but the formula for effective play by the Pelicans remained mostly the same Wednesday, featuring a heavy dose of scoring punch from their starting forwards. Zion Williamson was a constant force against a Phoenix defense ranked fourth in the NBA, rumbling and soaring to a 28-point outing on 12/14 shooting from the field. Brandon Ingram added 23 points in 30 minutes. The duo also combined for 11 rebounds and 12 assists.
Meanwhile, the Pelicans’ second unit again was shuffled, with JJ Redick playing for the first time in a week and scoring 10 points, center Willy Hernangomez appearing for a second straight game and Nicolo Melli earning a brief first-half stint.