Pelicans vs. Nets: Play-by-play, highlights and reactions

The New Orleans Pelicans (16-26) play against the Brooklyn Nets (15-15) at Barclays Center

Game Time: 7:30 PM EST on Saturday January 15, 2022

New Orleans Pelicans 22, Brooklyn Nets 39 (Q2 10:01)

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Andrew Lopez @_Andrew_Lopez
Love that the refs allowed them to play the final 1.3 of the 1st quarter and then roll right into the 2nd quarter without another minutes-long break in between.
Pels officially down 32-22 now after the 1Q.
But KD is on one tonight. – 8:10 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
After 1; plenty of basketball left to play. pic.twitter.com/UvqrYljpJG – 8:10 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Let’s try this again. End of the first quarter: Nets lead the Pelicans 32-22. – 8:09 PM Oleh Kosel @OlehKosel
The Pelicans trail the Nets, a notoriously mediocre 1st quarter team, 35-22 after one. Herb Jones picked up two relatively quick fouls on Durant and five team turnovers hurt. Steve Nash also noted New Orleans’ offensive rebounding in pregame, but the Pels only grabbed 2 of them. – 8:08 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Update: Durant’s shot was no-good. Was actually a shot clock violation. Still 1.2 seconds left in the quarter. – 8:08 PM Brooklyn Nets @BrooklynNets
CAM = Catch And Money pic.twitter.com/bvCquPfTNr – 8:07 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
YEAAAHHH JOSE
📺: @BallySportsNO
📻: @ESPNRadioNOLA pic.twitter.com/1X1iNxbfhI – 8:07 PM Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
KD with a real nice 1st quarter after resting on Thursday night. He’s got 15 points, three rebounds and two assists already in 12 minutes. Looks refreshed after sitting against OKC. Nets just need to keep their foot on the gas in this one. – 8:07 PM Brooklyn Nets @BrooklynNets
More to come pic.twitter.com/VSTlJ3KZiO – 8:07 PM Sarah Kustok @sarahkustok
We got you for @Brooklyn Nets v @New Orleans Pelicans on @YESNetwork pic.twitter.com/giM1HBK6s5 – 8:07 PM Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
End of 1st QTR: Nets 35, Pelicans 22
Kevin Durant (15 PTS, 5-8 FG), James Harden (6 PTS, 4 ASTS) & the Nets are pretty much playing flawlessly. They’re taking care of the ball and have attempted 4 more shots than New Orleans. The perimeter defense could be better though. – 8:06 PM Christian Clark @cclark_13
KD might go for 50. – 8:06 PM Will Guillory @WillGuillory
End of the 1st: Nets 35, Pelicans 22
Ingram 6 pts
Graham 5 pts
Durant 15 pts (5-8 FG)
It’s starting to feel like this might be one of those games for KD. – 8:06 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
End of the first quarter: Nets lead the Pelicans 35-22. Kevin Durant with 15 points already. Durant just hit a shot-clock and buzzer beating 3 to end the quarter. It’s under review. Cam Thomas is 3-for-3 with seven points. – 8:06 PM Brooklyn Nets @BrooklynNets
Sky High pic.twitter.com/b1cvhYy2sS – 7:57 PM Brooklyn Nets @BrooklynNets
CASH
@Kevin Durant x #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/TXIG4jQpaI – 7:54 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Cam Thomas is your sixth man tonight. – 7:52 PM Brooklyn Nets @BrooklynNets
Patty’s got moves
@Patrick Mills x #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/ASn4yOsCmi – 7:52 PM Will Guillory @WillGuillory
KD has come out very aggressive early in this one. He’s already up to 7 points. Just got Herb Jones out of the game with his 2nd foul. – 7:50 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
beautiful footwork is correct
#BrandonIngram | #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/i2nea2fLWq – 7:50 PM Brooklyn Nets @BrooklynNets
Slice & dice
@James Harden x #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/PTh9ZgtjBI – 7:50 PM Brooklyn Nets @BrooklynNets
That extra pass 👏 pic.twitter.com/Se72JEUASA – 7:49 PM Kevin Chouinard @KLChouinard
As if Knicks fans weren’t already drooling for Zion, Julius Randle busted up a shoe. – 7:48 PM Brooklyn Nets @BrooklynNets
Ballers 🏀
https://t.co/lBkkiRaXR5 pic.twitter.com/F8Y23ATGvF – 7:23 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Greetings from Barclays. It’s cold out. Nets-Pelicans tip shortly. This should be a barn burner. Lately these games haven’t gone that way. Chick-Fil-A was the pregame meal. Kessler Edwards and Day’Ron Sharpe starting again. Updates to follow. – 7:22 PM Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Willie Green said earlier that Herb Jones will be guarding Kevin Durant to start tonight’s game.
In the Nets’ 1st game vs NOLA this year, Herb was the primary defender on 2 of KD’s 17 shots. Gonna be interesting to see how the rookie handles this matchup. – 7:11 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Get the Pelicans mobile app for all the info https://t.co/JLazXkxawh
#Pelicans | @verizon pic.twitter.com/0XP8ygtPAF – 7:10 PM Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Pelicans starters tonight:
Devonte’ Graham
Josh Hart
Brandon Ingram
Herb Jones
Jonas Valanciunas – 7:07 PM Will Guillory @WillGuillory
Pelicans mailbag: Will Brandon Ingram be an All-Star? Should the Pelicans be buyers at the trade deadline — and who should they eye, if so?
theathletic.com/3071859/2022/0… – 7:06 PM Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
Things To L👀k Out For In The Nets vs. Pelicans Game:
Day’Ron Sharpe has averaged 10 PPG and 6 RPG in his last five games.
Jonas Valančiūnas is shooting it at a career-high 44% from downtown.
James Harden has fished out 10 APG in his last five games. – 7:03 PM Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Random thought…
The Nets have gotten a lot out of their Two-Way players (David Duke Jr & Kessler Edwards). So much that both have been somewhat regular starters.
But they aren’t eligible for the postseason. Roster conversion or does BKN have to go to other players eventually? – 7:02 PM Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
The Nets’ Starters vs. the Pelicans:
👨🏿‍🍳James Harden
👷🏽‍Patty Mills
🔒Kessler Edwards
🪣Kevin Durant
📈Day’Ron Sharpe – 7:02 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Nets starters vs. NOLA: Harden, Mills, Durant, Edwards and Sharpe. – 7:01 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
📸📸 pic.twitter.com/06NrLuKPiU – 7:00 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Your starting lineup in Brooklyn 🖐
#Pelicans | @Verizon pic.twitter.com/iEpJZe4uVI – 7:00 PM Brooklyn Nets @BrooklynNets
Saturday starters pic.twitter.com/z1JwkJ3kTJ – 7:00 PM Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
Who doesn’t enjoy some artsy pregame photography from Barclays Center #Pelicans pic.twitter.com/JDXFwYMwRf – 6:49 PM Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
“Whether he wins one in Brooklyn or not, the guy conducts himself as a champion.”
Jeff Van Gundy tells @Frank Isola & @Brian Scalabrine what makes Kevin Durant so good pic.twitter.com/o2jf0fpMx9 – 6:48 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Whose kicks are these? 👟
#Pelicans | Primeblock.com – 6:34 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Nets add James Johnson to the injury report with a non-COVID illness. He’s out tonight, too. – 6:18 PM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
James Johnson (non-Covid illness) is out for the #Nets. – 6:14 PM Dave Early @DavidEarly
“Not a lot to be honest, I’ve got my hands full trying to communicate with the guys that are playing tonight and with my staff so I really don’t get to communicate with him much….”
-Steve Nash on how often he connects with Kyrie Irving on games he is not eligible to appear in. – 6:13 PM Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
James Johnson (COVID) is also out for tonight’s game, the team says. – 6:13 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Make your Pelicans Pick N’ Roll predictions before halftime for a shot at a $200 team shop gift card courtesy of @CaesarsRewards 🤑🤑
Check it out on the home page of the Pelicans app: https://t.co/2LbNOG6ixX pic.twitter.com/BY1pwLsZ03 – 6:12 PM Dave Early @DavidEarly
“It’s been obviously an incredible coup for us to have James in our program. There’s a lot of bad luck so to speak…the amount of games that we were able to play whole was …a dozen or less, even if you include those games that James played on one leg.”
-Steve Nash – 6:12 PM Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
Willie Green said Herbert Jones will open the game matched up vs. Kevin Durant on defense. Green: “He embraces (difficult challenges)… this is great experience for Herb. He’s just going to get better and better, guarding the best players every night.” – 6:08 PM Brooklyn Nets @BrooklynNets
Drippy 💦 pic.twitter.com/UaSjmmekQ1 – 6:02 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
Watch Live: Willie Green
#Pelicans | @Verizon twitter.com/i/broadcasts/1… – 6:00 PM Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
Steve Nash admits the Nets didn’t have a full crack at winning a championship last year when Kyrie Irving got injured. – 5:55 PM Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
“He has full resources and ability to stay locked in — He’s still adapting to the demands.”
⁃Steve Nash on Kyrie Irving. – 5:53 PM Dave Early @DavidEarly
Steve Nash says he doesn’t have a lot of communication with Kyrie Irving on days he’s not with the team. – 5:53 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Steve Nash said he hasn’t communicated much with Kyrie Irving much on days like this where he’s away from the team. Nash said he has enough on his plate by preparing for a game. Nash said Irving has access to all the Nets’ film tools. – 5:53 PM Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
“We have an opportunity at home to play — To prove that we can win when he’s not available.”
⁃Steve Nash on Kyrie Irving still not being eligible. – 5:52 PM Jim Eichenhofer @Jim_Eichenhofer
Brooklyn’s Steve Nash on facing #Pelicans this time with Brandon Ingram playing (Ingram returned from a Nov. injury the night after team’s game vs. Nets): “They’re obviously a different proposition with Brandon. A terrific scorer, and kind of the head of the snake over there.” – 5:51 PM Dave Early @DavidEarly
Steve Nash is confident Nic Claxton and LaMarcus Aldridge will travel on the next road trip. They’re day to day. Joe Harris isn’t as close to return. – 5:50 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Steve Nash expects LaMarcus Aldridge and Nic Claxton to travel on the upcoming road trip. He’s not as sure about Joe Harris. – 5:50 PM Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
Steve Nash is still not sure on when Joe Harris will return. – 5:49 PM Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
Steve Nash admits Kessler Edwards is a natural defensively. – 5:48 PM Nick Friedell @NickFriedell
Nash says Aldridge and Claxton are “progressing” and are day to day — but they won’t play tonight vs. Pelicans. – 5:48 PM Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
“They’re both progressing well — We feel very positive for them returning soon.”
⁃Steve Nash on Nic Claxton and LaMarcus Aldridge. – 5:48 PM Alex Schiffer @Alex__Schiffer
Nets rule Nic Claxton out for tonight’s game. – 5:44 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
🅿utting something on in Brooklyn 😎
#Pelicans | @MichelobULTRA pic.twitter.com/HPpfwIWpxK – 5:41 PM Brian Lewis @NYPost_Lewis
#Nets center Nic Claxton (left hamstring tightness) is out tonight vs. the #Pelicans. #nba – 5:35 PM Ajayi Browne @ajayibrowne
Nic Claxton (hamstring tightness) will be unavailable tonight against the Pelicans. – 5:34 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
𝐓𝐨𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭 🔒
@ArrowExt | #AllFly pic.twitter.com/bH8wDEtjZR – 4:26 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
📺🍿
RT & VOTE for @Miles Bridges!
#NBAAllStar | #AllFly pic.twitter.com/J6fhF0zY5Z – 3:25 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
OFFICIAL: We have assigned guard James Bouknight, center Kai Jones and forward JT Thor to the Greensboro Swarm. All three players will be available tonight for the @greensboroswarm contest against Capital City.
#AllFly pic.twitter.com/f2tA5WKkGN – 3:00 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
OFFICIAL: We have recalled center Vernon Carey Jr. from the @greensboroswarm.
#AllFly pic.twitter.com/JtXPvciLPH – 2:55 PM Oklahoma City Thunder @okcthunder
After a strong win over the Nets on Thursday where OKC recorded season highs in multiple offensive categories, the Thunder will look to continue its stretch of strong offensive execution against the Cavs.
@OUHealth Game Day Report
📝 | https://t.co/YVYll95u2r pic.twitter.com/o28vCIx9u0 – 2:38 PM New Orleans Pelicans @PelicansNBA
5 hours till we hoop 🏀
At Nets (6:30 pm ct)
📺: @BallySportsNO
📻: @ESPNRadioNOLA
📸: @SwinCash pic.twitter.com/s3wARjDeXP – 2:34 PM Tyrese Maxey @TyreseMaxey
You have to chill bro @tytywashington3 🤧 – 2:16 PM Charlotte Hornets @hornets
Back at it, asking the tough questions. 🏝😂
#AllFly | @LendingTree pic.twitter.com/LLhbkabl50 – 2:06 PM