NBA analysts seemed to have multiple questions this offseason while trying to evaluate New Orleans’ backcourt, with the most prominent being very simple: So who exactly are going to be the two starters? Pelicans first-year head coach Willie Green didn’t want to tip his hand throughout training camp and preseason, but it wasn’t a huge surprise Wednesday when the combination of Devonte’ Graham and Nickeil Alexander-Walker filled the roles vs. Philadelphia.
Despite the fact that Wednesday’s game was their first as an NBA starting backcourt, the pair played like they’ve been together for a few years. In just the 14th start of his three-year career, Alexander-Walker dropped in 23 points (4/8 three-point shooting), while Graham’s New Orleans debut featured 18 points (4/6 on treys).