MEMPHIS – An incredible 16 different players have already started at least one game this season for the New Orleans Pelicans, including guard Orlando Johnson, who officially signed a 10-day contract Wednesday, then was a first-stringer hours later in a loss at Charlotte. A whopping total of 30 different five-man combinations have begun games for New Orleans (24-39).
Expect those tallies to climb to 17 and 31 a few hours from now, when the Pelicans take the floor at FedEx Forum to face the Memphis Grizzlies. Johnson will move into a reserve role, and with guard Norris Cole not expected to play (he’s listed as questionable with a lower back injury), Toney Douglas will be elevated to starting in the backcourt.