Tyrese Maxey was all smiles after scorching Sacramento for 36 points
This wasn't supposed to happen.
The Draft Day Sports prognosticators predicted the Sacramento Kings would have a 90% chance to win the opener of the new New Orleans Pelicans lineup - Graham, Maxey, Wiggins, Davis, and Wemby. A whole new backcourt would need time to adjust and adapt to each other went the conventional wisdom, and it's not like New Orleans suddenly overnight became a great team. And they just traded away Malik Monk, replacing him with glitzy, but still developing youngster Tyrese Maxey. No way. Not a chance in hell.
First quarter opened with a close margin, but the Kings were still in the lead... until midway through the period, when they suddenly weren't. Once that border was crossed, it was all Pelicans all the way, the host Kings never getting any closer than 3 in a 106-89 stunner that ranks among the bigger upsets of this CSL season.
Maxey did exactly what Doc Rivers drew him up to do - take over the offense from Monk, and shoot, shoot, shoot. Final tally? 12/24 from the floor, 7/11 from downtown, a perfect 5/5 from the charity stripe for 36 points, 7 assists, 5 rebounds, and a block in taking home Player of the Game honors. Opposite number Darius Garland, a former #1 overall pick? Just 7 points as he was largely contained offensively, though played well defensively with 2 steals and 2 blocks.
You only need to know this stat to know how the game went - The Pelicans made 16 treys - 5 more than the total 11 the Kings even attempted. Also having great shooting nights - Aaron Wiggins, who was 4/4 from downtown on his way to 14 points, and Cole Anthony was 5/8, 2/3 on trey tries for 12 points to lead the second unit scoring as Rivers designed.
Can't forget the double-doubles either - a pair of 13s in points and boards with a steal and 2 blocks for Deyonta Davis, and Devontae Graham rolling up double 10s in points and assists.
If there was a downside, it was Wemby playing just 17 minutes before fouling out, with a steal and 2 blocks to go with a goose egg before Zach Collins grabbed 12 bench boards and harassed Kofi Cockburn into a bad shooting night at 7 of 17, the 41% tally far below his seasonal 52% mark. Talen Horton-Tucker was the worst of all shooting - just 2 of 12 - but did have 8 rebounds and contributed to the stifling of Sacramento's shooting - just 38.9% overall from the field.
Aaron Wiggins has very quietly been an effective 3&D player for the Pelicans this season
"Obviously we're thrilled to get this win on the road against a division leader," Rivers said. "But we've still got some things to clean up and we'll continue making adjustments to look for the right mix of rotations and balance of making sure Wemby gets his minutes while still fielding as competitive a team as possible. This is just one data point. One game. Any given night in the CSL, right? Still sure feels good, though."
Certainly no one expects a dramatic turnaround. But for one night in NorCal, Tyrese Maxey wrote himself into New Orleans debut history.
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