2021–22 New Orleans Pelicans season
Professional basketball season
NBA professional basketball team season
The 2021–22 New Orleans Pelicans season was the 20th season of the New Orleans Pelicans franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). On June 16, 2021, coach Stan Van Gundy agreed to part ways with the Pelicans after one season.[ 1] The Pelicans soon hired Willie Green as the next head coach.[ 2]
On December 15, Devonte' Graham , who was acquired from the Charlotte Hornets in the offseason, hit an improbable 61–foot shot to hoist the Pelicans to a 113–110 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder . The shot set the NBA record for the longest buzzer–beating game–winner in league history, beating out Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf 's 55–foot shot in 1992 for the Denver Nuggets , 109–106 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers .[ 3] [ 4] [ 5]
Despite finishing the season with a 36–46 record and being 10 games under .500, the Pelicans managed to qualify for the play-in tournament after a win over the Sacramento Kings , followed by a Lakers loss to the Suns on April 5, 2022.[ 6] They defeated both the San Antonio Spurs and the Los Angeles Clippers in the Play-In tournament to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2018 , becoming the first team to qualify for the postseason with a 36–46 record since the Boston Celtics in 2004. They faced the top-seeded Phoenix Suns in the first round where they lost in six games.[ 7]
Draft
The Pelicans currently hold one first-round pick and two second-round picks entering the draft.[ 8]
Roster
2021–22 New Orleans Pelicans roster
Players
Coaches
Pos.
No.
Name
Height
Weight
DOB
From
G
15
Alvarado, Jose
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
179 lb (81 kg)
1998-04-12
Georgia Tech
F
12
Clark, Gary (TW)
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
1994-11-16
Cincinnati
G
4
Graham, Devonte'
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1995-02-22
Kansas
G
2
Harper, Jared (TW)
5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
1997-09-14
Auburn
F/C
10
Hayes, Jaxson
7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
2000-05-23
Texas
C
9
Hernangómez, Willy
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
250 lb (113 kg)
1994-05-27
Spain
F
14
Ingram, Brandon
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1997-09-02
Duke
F
5
Jones, Herbert
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
206 lb (93 kg)
1998-10-06
Alabama
G
13
Lewis, Kira
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
2001-04-06
Alabama
F
8
Marshall, Naji
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1998-01-24
Xavier
G
3
McCollum, CJ
6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1991-09-19
Lehigh
F
25
Murphy, Trey
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
206 lb (93 kg)
2000-06-18
Virginia
F
22
Nance, Larry
6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
245 lb (111 kg)
1993-01-01
Wyoming
G
21
Snell, Tony
6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
213 lb (97 kg)
1991-11-10
New Mexico
G
41
Temple, Garrett
6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1986-05-08
LSU
C
17
Valančiūnas, Jonas
6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
265 lb (120 kg)
1992-05-06
Lithuania
F
1
Williamson, Zion
6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
284 lb (129 kg)
2000-07-06
Duke
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
(DP) Unsigned draft pick(FA) Free agent(S) Suspended(GL) On assignment to G League(TW) Two-way affiliate player Injured
Roster Last transaction: March 29, 2022
Roster Notes
Power forward Zion Williamson missed the entire season due to foot and knee injuries.
Standings
Division
Conference
Game log
Preseason
2021 preseason game log Total: 1–3 (home: 1–0; road: 0–3)
Preseason: 1–3 (home: 1–0; road: 0–3)
2020–21 season schedule
Regular season
2021–22 game log Total: 36–46 (home: 19–22; road: 17–24)
October: 1–6 (home: 0–4; road: 1–2)
November: 5–11 (home: 3–3; road: 2–8)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
8
November 2
@ Phoenix
L 100–112
Jonas Valančiūnas (23)
Jonas Valančiūnas (14)
Devonte' Graham (6)
Footprint Center 14,323
1–7
9
November 3
@ Sacramento
L 99–112
Alexander-Walker , Graham (16)
Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
Devonte' Graham (7)
Golden 1 Center 12,480
1–8
10
November 5
@ Golden State
L 85–126
Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
Jonas Valančiūnas (15)
Satoranský , Valančiūnas (4)
Chase Center 18,064
1–9
11
November 8
@ Dallas
L 92–108
Hart , Valančiūnas (22)
Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
Devonte' Graham (10)
American Airlines Center 19,231
1–10
12
November 10
Oklahoma City
L 100–108
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (33)
Jonas Valančiūnas (15)
Garrett Temple (5)
Smoothie King Center 15,355
1–11
13
November 12
Brooklyn
L 112–120
Jonas Valančiūnas (20)
Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
Graham, Satoransky (6)
Smoothie King Center 14,650
1–12
14
November 13
Memphis
W 112–101
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (21)
Jonas Valančiūnas (9)
Jonas Valančiūnas (9)
Smoothie King Center 14,358
2–12
15
November 15
@ Washington
L 100–105
Brandon Ingram (31)
Josh Hart (12)
Josh Hart (5)
Capital One Arena 13,914
2–13
16
November 17
@ Miami
L 98–113
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (24)
Jonas Valančiūnas (8)
Brandon Ingram (5)
FTX Arena 19,600
2–14
17
November 19
L.A. Clippers
W 94–81
Jonas Valančiūnas (26)
Jonas Valančiūnas (13)
Brandon Ingram (5)
Smoothie King Center 15,274
3–14
18
November 20
@ Indiana
L 94–111
Jonas Valančiūnas (19)
Jonas Valančiūnas (13)
Alexander-Walker, Ingram (4)
Gainbridge Fieldhouse 15,081
3–15
19
November 22
Minnesota
L 96–110
Willy Hernangómez (19)
Willy Hernangómez (11)
Kira Lewis Jr. (6)
Smoothie King Center 15,689
3–16
20
November 24
Washington
W 127–102
Brandon Ingram (26)
Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
Alexander-Walker, Satoranský (5)
Smoothie King Center 14,659
4–16
21
November 26
@ Utah
W 98–97
Brandon Ingram (21)
Jonas Valančiūnas (10)
Hart, Hernangómez, Ingram (5)
Vivint Arena 18,306
5–16
22
November 27
@ Utah
L 105–127
Jaxson Hayes (15)
Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
Jose Alvarado (5)
Vivint Arena 18,306
5–17
23
November 29
@ L.A. Clippers
W 123–104
Jonas Valančiūnas (39)
Jonas Valančiūnas (15)
Josh Hart (12)
Staples Center 15,691
6–17
December: 7–5 (home: 4–2; road: 3–3)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
24
December 1
Dallas
L 107–139
Brandon Ingram (29)
Hernangómez , Valančiūnas (5)
Devonte' Graham (6)
Smoothie King Center 15,558
6–18
25
December 3
@ Dallas
W 107–91
Brandon Ingram (24)
Willy Hernangómez (14)
Brandon Ingram (12)
American Airlines Center 19,218
7–18
26
December 5
@ Houston
L 108–118
Brandon Ingram (40)
Willy Hernangómez (14)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (5)
Toyota Center 14,771
7–19
27
December 8
Denver
L 114–120 (OT)
Jonas Valančiūnas (27)
Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
Josh Hart (8)
Smoothie King Center 15,035
7–20
28
December 10
Detroit
W 109–93
Brandon Ingram (26)
Josh Hart (13)
Hart, Ingram (5)
Smoothie King Center 15,828
8–20
29
December 12
@ San Antonio
L 97–112
Brandon Ingram (27)
Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
Brandon Ingram (9)
AT&T Center 14,990
8–21
30
December 15
@ Oklahoma City
W 113–110
Brandon Ingram (34)
Jonas Valančiūnas (16)
Devonte' Graham (8)
Paycom Center 13,253
9–21
31
December 17
Milwaukee
W 116–112 (OT)
Devonte' Graham (26)
Josh Hart (15)
Josh Hart (8)
Smoothie King Center 15,504
10–21
-
December 19
@ Philadelphia
Postponed (Makeup date: January 25)
32
December 21
Portland
W 111–97
Brandon Ingram (28)
Jonas Valančiūnas (16)
Brandon Ingram (8)
Smoothie King Center 15,272
11–21
33
December 23
@ Orlando
W 110–104
Brandon Ingram (31)
Willy Hernangómez (16)
Devonte' Graham (6)
Amway Center 13,954
12–21
34
December 26
@ Oklahoma City
L 112–117
Josh Hart (29)
Josh Hart (10)
Devonte' Graham (8)
Paycom Center 15,608
12–22
35
December 28
Cleveland
W 108–104
Herbert Jones (26)
Jonas Valančiūnas (10)
Graham, Satoranský (5)
Smoothie King Center 15,835
13–22
January: 5–10 (home: 4–4; road: 1–6)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
36
January 1
@ Milwaukee
L 113–136
Jaxson Hayes (23)
Josh Hart (11)
Josh Hart (9)
Fiserv Forum 17,341
13–23
37
January 3
Utah
L 104–115
Jonas Valančiūnas (25)
Hart, Valančiūnas (9)
Brandon Ingram (7)
Smoothie King Center 15,057
13–24
38
January 4
Phoenix
L 110–123
Devonte' Graham (28)
Jonas Valančiūnas (16)
Devonte' Graham (6)
Smoothie King Center 15,158
13–25
39
January 6
Golden State
W 101–96
Brandon Ingram (32)
Brandon Ingram (11)
Brandon Ingram (6)
Smoothie King Center 15,986
14–25
40
January 9
@ Toronto
L 101–105
Brandon Ingram (22)
Jonas Valančiūnas (17)
Garrett Temple (6)
Scotiabank Arena 0
14–26
41
January 11
Minnesota
W 128–125
Brandon Ingram (33)
Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
Brandon Ingram (9)
Smoothie King Center 15,155
15–26
42
January 13
L.A. Clippers
W 113–89
Brandon Ingram (24)
Jonas Valančiūnas (16)
Devonte' Graham (7)
Smoothie King Center 15,406
16–26
43
January 15
@ Brooklyn
L 105–120
Brandon Ingram (22)
Josh Hart (11)
Brandon Ingram (8)
Barclays Center 17,034
16–27
44
January 17
@ Boston
L 92–104
Jonas Valančiūnas (22)
Jonas Valančiūnas (14)
Brandon Ingram (6)
TD Garden 19,156
16–28
45
January 20
@ New York
W 102–91
Jonas Valančiūnas (18)
Jonas Valančiūnas (10)
Brandon Ingram (6)
Madison Square Garden 16,168
17–28
46
January 24
Indiana
W 117–113
Devonte' Graham (25)
Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
Alexander-Walker , Graham, Valančiūnas (6)
Smoothie King Center 15,581
18–28
47
January 25
@ Philadelphia
L 107–117
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (31)
Willy Hernangómez (10)
Alexander-Walker, Alvarado , Satoranský (6)
Wells Fargo Center 20,121
18–29
48
January 28
Denver
L 105–116
Herbert Jones (19)
Willy Hernangómez (16)
Devonte' Graham (5)
Smoothie King Center 15,254
18–30
49
January 29
Boston
L 97–107
Jose Alvarado (19)
Josh Hart (13)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (5)
Smoothie King Center 16,168
18–31
50
January 31
Cleveland
L 90–93
Devonte' Graham (20)
Hart, Hernangómez (10)
Nickeil Alexander-Walker (5)
Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse 17,637
18–32
February: 7–4 (home: 2–4; road: 5–0)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
51
February 1
@ Detroit
W 111–101
Brandon Ingram (26)
Jonas Valančiūnas (13)
Jose Alvarado (6)
Little Caesars Arena 15,499
19–32
52
February 4
@ Denver
W 113–105
Herbert Jones (25)
Jaxson Hayes (11)
Brandon Ingram (12)
Ball Arena 16,152
20–32
53
February 6
@ Houston
W 120–107
Brandon Ingram (33)
Hart , Hayes (7)
Brandon Ingram (12)
Toyota Center 15,702
21–32
54
February 8
Houston
W 110–97
Brandon Ingram (26)
Herbert Jones (11)
Devonte' Graham (8)
Smoothie King Center 15,121
22–32
55
February 10
Miami
L 97–112
Jose Alvarado (17)
Valančiūnas, Clark (9)
CJ McCollum (5)
Smoothie King Center 16,672
22–33
56
February 12
San Antonio
L 114–124
CJ McCollum (36)
Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
Graham, McCollum (5)
Smoothie King Center 16,615
22–34
57
February 14
Toronto
W 120–90
CJ McCollum (23)
Brandon Ingram (11)
Brandon Ingram (8)
Smoothie King Center 15,319
23–34
58
February 15
Memphis
L 109–121
CJ McCollum (30)
CJ McCollum (6)
CJ McCollum (7)
Smoothie King Center 15,901
23–35
59
February 17
Dallas
L 118–125
CJ McCollum (38)
Jonas Valančiūnas (18)
Brandon Ingram (8)
Smoothie King Center 15,906
23–36
60
February 25
@ Phoenix
W 117–102
CJ McCollum (32)
Jonas Valančiūnas (17)
Brandon Ingram (7)
Footprint Center 17,071
24–36
61
February 28
@ L.A. Lakers
W 123–95
CJ McCollum (22)
Jonas Valančiūnas (10)
Ingram, McCollum (10)
Crypto.com Arena 17,536
25–36
March: 8–7 (home: 5–4; road: 3–3)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Record
62
March 2
Sacramento
W 125–95
Brandon Ingram (33)
Jonas Valančiūnas (14)
CJ McCollum (9)
Smoothie King Center 15,490
26–36
63
March 4
Utah
W 124–90
Brandon Ingram (29)
Hernangómez , Ingram (8)
Brandon Ingram (6)
Smoothie King Center 16,178
27–36
64
March 6
@ Denver
L 130–138 (OT)
Brandon Ingram (38)
Jonas Valančiūnas (14)
Ingram, McCollum (9)
Ball Arena 14,962
27–37
65
March 8
@ Memphis
L 111–132
CJ McCollum (32)
Willy Hernangómez (9)
CJ McCollum (11)
FedEx Forum 16,433
27–38
66
March 9
Orlando
L 102–108
CJ McCollum (32)
Jonas Valančiūnas (15)
CJ McCollum (8)
Smoothie King Center 15,633
27–39
67
March 11
Charlotte
L 120–142
Trey Murphy III (32)
Trey Murphy III (9)
Herbert Jones (8)
Smoothie King Center 16,838
27–40
68
March 13
Houston
W 130–105
Jonas Valančiūnas (32)
Marshall , Valančiūnas (10)
Jose Alvarado (10)
Smoothie King Center 15,683
28–40
69
March 15
Phoenix
L 115–131
Herbert Jones (22)
Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
CJ McCollum (9)
Smoothie King Center 16,789
28–41
70
March 18
@ San Antonio
W 124–91
CJ McCollum (20)
Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
Jose Alvarado (5)
AT&T Center 18,354
29–41
71
March 20
@ Atlanta
W 117–112
Jonas Valančiūnas (26)
Hayes , Valančiūnas (12)
CJ McCollum (8)
State Farm Arena 17,123
30–41
72
March 21
@ Charlotte
L 103–106
CJ McCollum (27)
Jonas Valančiūnas (18)
CJ McCollum (6)
Spectrum Center 13,351
30–42
73
March 24
Chicago
W 126–109
Devonte' Graham (30)
Jonas Valančiūnas (19)
Jose Alvarado (7)
Smoothie King Center 13,973
31–42
74
March 26
San Antonio
L 103–107
CJ McCollum (32)
Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
Jonas Valančiūnas (6)
Smoothie King Center 13,097
31–43
75
March 27
L.A. Lakers
W 116–108
Brandon Ingram (26)
Jonas Valančiūnas (12)
CJ McCollum (6)
Smoothie King Center 18,516
32–43
76
March 30
@ Portland
W 117–107
CJ McCollum (25)
Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
Brandon Ingram (6)
Moda Center 18,551
33–43
April: 3–4 (home: 1–2; road: 2–2)
2021–22 season schedule
Play-in
Playoffs
Game log
2022 playoff game log Total: 2–4 (home: 1–2; road: 1–2
First Round: 2–4 (home: 1–2; road: 1–2)
Game
Date
Team
Score
High points
High rebounds
High assists
Location Attendance
Series
1
April 17
@ Phoenix
L 99–110
CJ McCollum (25)
Jonas Valančiūnas (25)
CJ McCollum (6)
Footprint Center 17,071
0–1
2
April 19
@ Phoenix
W 125–114
Brandon Ingram (37)
Jonas Valančiūnas (13)
Ingram, McCollum (9)
Footprint Center 17,071
1–1
3
April 22
Phoenix
L 111–114
Brandon Ingram (34)
Jonas Valančiūnas (11)
Ingram, McCollum (7)
Smoothie King Center 18,962
1–2
4
April 24
Phoenix
W 118–103
Brandon Ingram (30)
Jonas Valančiūnas (15)
Brandon Ingram (5)
Smoothie King Center 18,962
2–2
5
April 26
@ Phoenix
L 97–112
Brandon Ingram (22)
Jonas Valančiūnas (14)
Ingram, McCollum (5)
Footprint Center 17,071
2–3
6
April 28
Phoenix
L 109–115
Brandon Ingram (21)
Nance , Valančiūnas (8)
Brandon Ingram (11)
Smoothie King Center 18,710
2–4
2022 playoff schedule
Player statistics
Regular season
Playoffs
† Denotes player spent time with another team in the season. Stats reflect time with the Pelicans only.
Transactions
Trades
References
^ "New Orleans Pelicans and Stan Van Gundy mutually agree to part ways" . NBA.com . June 16, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2021 .
^ "Willie Green named New Orleans Pelicans head coach" . NBA.com . July 22, 2021. Retrieved July 22, 2021 .
^ "Watch: Devonte' Graham beats Thunder with NBA record buzzer-beater" . Fansided . Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021 .
^ "Devonte' Graham Hit A 70-Footer At The Buzzer To Stun The Thunder" . Uproxx . Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021 .
^ "Pelicans' Devonte' Graham makes miraculous 3/4-court, game-winning buzzer-beater to stun Thunder" . CBS Sports . Archived from the original on December 16, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021 .
^ "Pelicans clinch spot in play-in; here's how it works" . wwltv.com . April 6, 2022. Retrieved April 29, 2022 .
^ Kosel, Oleh (April 29, 2022). "Pelicans eliminated from playoffs by Suns after 115-109 loss, but this isn't goodbye" . The Bird Writes . Retrieved April 29, 2022 .
^ "2021 NBA draft order: Complete picks for the first and second round" . espn.com . June 22, 2021. Retrieved July 5, 2021 .
^ "Pelicans complete trade with 76ers" . NBA.com . July 29, 2021. Retrieved July 29, 2021 .
Franchise Arenas Personnel G League affiliate Retired numbers Culture and lore