2017–18 New Orleans Pelicans season

The 2017–18 New Orleans Pelicans season was the 16th season of the New Orleans Pelicans franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Pelicans were coached by Alvin Gentry in his third year as head coach. They played their home games at the Smoothie King Center as members of the Western Conference's Southwest Division.

2017–18 New Orleans Pelicans season
Head coachAlvin Gentry
General managerDell Demps
OwnersTom Benson (until March 15, his death)
Gayle Benson (March 15 onwards)
ArenaSmoothie King Center
Results
Record4834 (.585)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Southwest)
Conference: 6th (Western)
Playoff finishConference Semifinals
(Lost to Warriors 1–4)

Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionFox Sports New Orleans
RadioWWL-FM

The team's second-leading scorer, DeMarcus Cousins, suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon injury during his subsequent final game as a Pelican on January 26, 2018, and missed the remainder of the season.[1] Despite losing Cousins, the Pelicans clinched their first playoff berth since 2015 with a win over the Los Angeles Clippers on April 9, 2018.[2] They finished the season 48–34 to finish in second place in the Southwest Division.

In the Playoffs, the Pelicans faced off against the third-seeded Portland Trail Blazers in the First Round. On April 14, 2018, the Pelicans won the first game in the First Round playoff series which marked the franchise's first playoff game win since the 2011 playoffs' First Round series against the Los Angeles Lakers.[3][4] On April 21, the Pelicans completed the playoff series sweep over the Trail Blazers, marking the franchise's first series win since 2008.[5][6] It also marked the first playoff series sweep in franchise history, and the first time that a team seeded sixth or lower had swept a First Round series since the NBA had expanded the First Round to a best-of-seven series.[7] They advanced to the Conference Semifinals to face the second-seeded and eventual NBA champion Golden State Warriors, the team that swept them in the First Round of the 2015 playoffs.[8] The Pelicans lost the series in five games and were eliminated from the playoffs.[9][10]

As of 2020, this marked the last time the Pelicans made the playoffs.

Draft

Round Pick Player Position Nationality College / Club
2 31 Frank Jackson PG  United States Duke

Prior to the NBA draft, the Pelicans had only one second round pick, having traded their first round pick, rookie Buddy Hield, Tyreke Evans, Langston Galloway, and the Philadelphia 76ers' original second round pick to the Sacramento Kings in a blockbuster trade for star center DeMarcus Cousins and Omri Casspi.[11][12] On June 21, 2017, however, the Pelicans acquired the Washington Wizards' second round pick (No. 52 overall) in exchange for guard Tim Frazier.[13] As a result, the Pelicans entered draft night with two second round and no first round picks. On the night of the draft, the Pelicans traded away their second round pick (No. 40 overall) and cash considerations to the Charlotte Hornets in exchange for the Hornets' second round pick (No. 31 overall).[14] With that pick, the Pelicans selected Duke point guard Frank Jackson.[15] With the No. 52 overall pick, the Pelicans selected Xavier point guard Edmond Sumner and traded him to the Indiana Pacers for cash considerations.[16]

Roster

Roster listing
2017–18 New Orleans Pelicans roster
Players Coaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY-MM-DD)From
C 42 Ajinça, Alexis 7 ft 2 in (2.18 m) 248 lb (112 kg) 1988–05–06 INSEP (FRA)
G 2 Clark, Ian 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1991–03–07 Belmont
G 4 Cooke, Charles (TW) 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 196 lb (89 kg) 1994–07–01 Dayton
C 0 Cousins, DeMarcus  (C) 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 270 lb (122 kg) 1990–08–13 Kentucky
G 27 Crawford, Jordan 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1988–10–23 Xavier
F/C 23 Davis, Anthony (C) 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 253 lb (115 kg) 1993–03–11 Kentucky
F 13 Diallo, Cheick 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1996–09–13 Kansas
F 44 Hill, Solomon 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1991–03–18 Arizona
G 11 Holiday, Jrue 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1990–06–12 UCLA
G 15 Jackson, Frank 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1998–05–04 Duke
G 34 Liggins, DeAndre 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 209 lb (95 kg) 1988–03–31 Kentucky
F 21 Miller, Darius 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1990–03–21 Kentucky
F 3 Mirotić, Nikola 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 238 lb (108 kg) 1991–02–11 Spain
G/F 55 Moore, E'Twaun 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 191 lb (87 kg) 1989–02–25 Purdue
C 50 Okafor, Emeka 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 1982–09–28 Connecticut
G 9 Rondo, Rajon 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 186 lb (84 kg) 1986–02–22 Kentucky
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured

Roster
Last transaction: 2018–04–05

Standings

Division

Southwest Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div GP
zHouston Rockets 65 17 .793 0.0 34–7 31–10 12–4 82
xNew Orleans Pelicans 48 34 .585 17.0 24–17 24–17 9–7 82
xSan Antonio Spurs 47 35 .573 18.0 33–8 14–27 9–7 82
Dallas Mavericks 24 58 .293 41.0 15–26 9–32 5–11 82
Memphis Grizzlies 22 60 .268 43.0 16–25 6–35 5–11 82

Conference

Western Conference
# Team W L PCT GB GP
1 zHouston Rockets * 65 17 .793 82
2 yGolden State Warriors * 58 24 .707 7.0 82
3 yPortland Trail Blazers * 49 33 .598 16.0 82
4 xOklahoma City Thunder 48 34 .585 17.0 82
5 xUtah Jazz 48 34 .585 17.0 82
6 xNew Orleans Pelicans 48 34 .585 17.0 82
7 xSan Antonio Spurs 47 35 .573 18.0 82
8 xMinnesota Timberwolves 47 35 .573 18.0 82
9 Denver Nuggets 46 36 .561 19.0 82
10 Los Angeles Clippers 42 40 .512 23.0 82
11 Los Angeles Lakers 35 47 .427 30.0 82
12 Sacramento Kings 27 55 .329 38.0 82
13 Dallas Mavericks 24 58 .293 41.0 82
14 Memphis Grizzlies 22 60 .268 43.0 82
15 Phoenix Suns 21 61 .256 44.0 82

Game log

Preseason

2017 pre-season game log
Total: 1–3 (Home: 0–2; Road: 1–1)
2017–18 season schedule

Regular season

2017–18 game log
Total: 48–34 (Home: 24–17; Road: 24–17)
2017–18 season schedule

Playoffs

2018 playoff game log
Total: 5–4 (Home: 3–1; Road: 2–3)
2018 playoff schedule

Player statistics

Regular season

Player Pos. GP GS MP Reb. Ast. Stl. Blk. Pts.
Tony AllenSF 220273479113103
Omer AsikC 1401213721218
Charles CookeSG 1303821106
Ian ClarkSG 7421,4551271103310551
DeMarcus CousinsC 48481,73761725779761,210
Jordan CrawfordPG 50534131133
Dante CunninghamSF 51241,115193262716253
Anthony DavisPF 75752,7278321741151932,110
Cheick DialloPF 520581211191121254
Larry DrewPG 7055280015
Solomon HillSF 12118736227129
Jrue HolidaySG 81812,927365486123641,537
Mike JamesPG 401816104
Jalen JonesSF 401930005
Walt LemonPG 5035250117
DeAndre LigginsPG 273244262110444
Darius MillerSF 8231,9441641112817637
Nikola MiroticPF 3011872246412926439
E'Twaun MooreSG 82802,58623818779121,022
Jameer NelsonPG 430897961567976221
Emeka OkaforC 26193531208825221
Rajon RondoPG 65631,7032635337010537
Josh SmithPF 301240002

After all games.[17]
Waived during the season
Traded during the season
Acquired during the season

Transactions

Trades

June 21, 2017 To New Orleans Pelicans
52nd pick in the 2017 NBA Draft[18]
To Washington Wizards
Tim Frazier
February 1, 2018 To New Orleans Pelicans
Nikola Mirotić
2018 second round pick (from New Orleans via Chicago)
To Chicago Bulls
Ömer Aşık
Tony Allen
Jameer Nelson
2018 Top 5 protected first round pick
Right to swap 2021 second round picks with New Orleans[19]

Re-signed

Player Signed
Jrue Holiday[20] 5-year contract worth $126 million

Additions

Player Signed Former team
Tony Allen[21] 1-year contract worth $2.3 million Memphis Grizzlies
Ian Clark[22] 1-year contract worth $1.6 million Golden State Warriors
Charles Cooke[23] Two-way contract Dayton Flyers
Jalen Jones[24] Two-way contract Maine Red Claws
Darius Miller[25] 2-year contract worth $4.3 million Brose Bamberg
Rajon Rondo[26] 1-year contract worth $3.3 million Chicago Bulls
Mike James Two-way contract Phoenix Suns
Emeka Okafor Signed two 10-day contracts / 1-year deal Delaware 87ers
Walter Lemon Jr. Signed a 10-day contract Fort Wayne Mad Ants

Subtractions

Player Reason left New team
Quinn Cook[27] Waived Atlanta Hawks[28]
Axel Toupane[27] Waived Žalgiris Kaunas
Donatas Motiejūnas Unrestricted free agent Shandong Golden Stars
Hollis Thompson Unrestricted free agent Olympiacios Piraeus
Jalen Jones Waived Dallas Mavericks / Texas Legends
Mike James Waived Panathinaikos Athens

Awards, records and milestones

Awards

Player Award Date awarded Ref.
DeMarcus Cousins Western Conference Player of the Week October 30, 2017 [29]
Anthony Davis Western Conference Player of the Week November 27, 2017 [30]
Anthony Davis NBA All-Star starter (5th appearance) January 18, 2018 [31]
DeMarcus Cousins NBA All-Star starter (4th appearance) January 18, 2018 [31]
Anthony Davis Western Conference Player of the Month (February) March 1, 2018 [32]
Anthony Davis Western Conference Player of the Week March 5, 2018 [33]
Anthony Davis Western Conference Player of the Month (March/April) April 12, 2018 [34]
Anthony Davis All-Defensive First Team May 23, 2018 [35]
Jrue Holiday All-Defensive First Team May 23, 2018 [35]
Anthony Davis All-NBA First Team May 24, 2018 [36]
Anthony Davis NBA blocks leader (3rd time) June 17, 2018 [37]

Season

  • Anthony Davis set franchise records in:
    • Most blocks in a game
    • Most blocks in a half
      • 6 – tied his own franchise mark on the same day.[38]
    • Field goals in a season (780)[39]
    • Points in a season (2,110)
    • Points per game (28.1)
  • DeMarcus Cousins set a franchise record in:
    • Defensive rebound percentage in a season (30.9%)[39]
  • Rajon Rondo set franchise records in:
    • Most assists in a game
    • Most assists in a quarter

Playoffs

Milestones

  • On November 22, 2017, Anthony Davis reached 7,938 career points, moving him to second in points scored in franchise history after passing Chris Paul.[44]
  • On January 18, 2018, both Davis and DeMarcus Cousins were selected as NBA All-Star starters, which marked the first time since 2009 that multiple New Orleans players have been selected to the All-Star game. It was also the first time in franchise history that multiple players have started the All-Star game.
  • On January 28, 2018, Davis reached 3,857 career rebounds, giving him the all-time franchise high in rebounds after passing David West.[45]
  • On February 2, 2018, Davis passed David West in points scored, giving him the all-time franchise high with 8,702.[46]
  • The Pelicans finished second in the Southwest Division, which was the highest since the 2007–08 season.
  • The Pelicans finished first in the league in:
    • Total minutes played in a season (19,995)[47]
    • Minutes played per game (243.4)[48]

Playoffs

  • The Pelicans clinched their first playoff berth since 2015.[49]
  • On April 14, 2018, the Pelicans won the first game in the First Round playoff series which marked the franchise's first playoff game win since the 2011 NBA playoffs.[50]
  • On April 21, 2018, the Pelicans completed the playoff series sweep over the Portland Trail Blazers, marking the franchise's first series win since 2008. It was also the first playoff series sweep in franchise history, and the first time that a team seeded sixth or lower had swept a First Round series since the NBA had expanded the First Round to a best-of-seven series.[51]

References

  1. "Injury ends Cousins' season in Pelicans' win over Rockets". Boston.com. 2018-01-27. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  2. "New Orleans Pelicans earn second postseason berth in five seasons". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  3. "NBA playoffs: Pelicans hold off Trail Blazers 97-95 in Game 1". latimes.com. Associated Press. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  4. "Anthony Davis, Pelicans steal Game 1 in Portland". SBNation.com. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  5. "Brooms out: Pelicans sweep Portland, 1st playoff series win in a decade". WGNO. 2018-04-22. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  6. "New Orleans Pelicans sweep Portland Trail Blazers with 131-123 Game 4 win: Rapid Reaction". OregonLive.com. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  7. "No. 6 seed Pelicans make NBA playoff history with first-round sweep of Trail Blazers". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  8. "Pelicans face the Golden State Warriors in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals: Live updates". nola.com. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  9. Team, WDSU Digital (2018-05-10). "Pelicans eliminated from NBA playoffs". WDSU. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  10. "Pelicans coach's final words after Warriors eliminated them: '1-2-3, Cancun'". For The Win. 2018-05-09. Retrieved 2018-05-31.
  11. Polacek, Scott. "DeMarcus Cousins Traded to Pelicans for Tyreke Evans, Buddy Hield and More". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  12. "Kings agree to trade DeMarcus Cousins to Pelicans". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  13. "Pelicans trade G Tim Frazier to the Washington Wizards for 2017 2nd round pick". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  14. "Pelicans trade up in NBA Draft, select Duke guard Frank Jackson with 31st pick". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  15. "Pelicans Select Frank Jackson with 31st Pick in 2017 NBA Draft | New Orleans Pelicans | BourbonStreetShots.com". Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  16. "Pelicans trade No. 52 pick in NBA Draft to the Indiana Pacers". NOLA.com. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  17. "2017-18 New Orleans Pelicans Roster and Stats". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  18. "Pelicans Acquire 52nd Overall Pick in 2017 NBA Draft". NBA.com/pelicans. June 21, 2017. Retrieved June 29, 2017.
  19. "Chicago Bulls trade Nikola Mirotic to New Orleans Pelicans". NBA.com. Turner Sports Interactive, Inc. February 1, 2018. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  20. "Pelicans Re-Sign Jrue Holiday". NBA.com/pelicans. July 6, 2017. Retrieved July 6, 2017.
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  24. "Pelicans sign Jalen Jones to two-way contract". NBA.com/pelicans. August 2, 2017. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  25. "Pelicans Sign Darius Miller". NBA.com/pelicans. July 27, 2017. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  26. "Pelicans Sign Rajon Rondo". NBA.com/pelicans. July 20, 2017. Retrieved July 20, 2017.
  27. "Pelicans waive Quinn Cook and Axel Toupane". NBA.compelicans. July 25, 2017. Retrieved July 25, 2017.
  28. "Hawks Sign Point Guard Quinn Cook". NBA.com. September 6, 2017. Retrieved September 6, 2017.
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  30. "Anthony Davis Named Western Conference Player of the Week". NBA.com. November 27, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  31. "LeBron James, Stephen Curry voted as captains for NBA All-Star Game". espn.com. January 18, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  32. "Anthony Davis Named Western Conference Player of the Month". nba.com. March 1, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  33. "Anthony Davis Named Western Conference Player of the Week". nba.com. March 5, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  34. "Anthony Davis Named Western Conference Player of the Month". nba.com. April 12, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  35. "Anthony Davis and Jrue Holiday Earn All-Defensive First Team Honors". nba.com. May 23, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  36. "Anthony Davis Named to 2017-18 All-NBA First Team". nba.com. May 24, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  37. "2017-18 NBA Regular Season: Blocks Per Game Leaders". landofbasketball.com. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  38. "Rubio, Jazz, spoil Davis triple-double, 116-99". espn.com. March 11, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  39. "New Orleans Pelicans Season Leaders". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  40. "Rajon Rondo becomes 7th NBA player with 25 assists in a game". espn.com. December 27, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  41. "After Davis' injury, Cousins lifts Pelicans past Pistons". espn.com. January 8, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  42. "Davis' 47 points leads Pelicans to sweep of Trail Blazers". espn.com. April 21, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  43. "Davis scores 35, Pelicans hold off Blazers 97-95 in Game 1". espn.com. April 14, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  44. "Davis, Cousins, power Pelicans' 107-90 rout of Spurs". espn.com. November 22, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  45. "Griffin leads Clippers past Cousins-less Pelicans, 112-103". espn.com. January 28, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  46. "Davis' 43 points lead Pelicans past Thunder 114-100". espn.com. January 28, 2018. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  47. "New Orleans Pelicans Stats - Basic (Totals)". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  48. "New Orleans Pelicans Stats - Per Game (Totals)". Basketball Reference. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  49. "New Orleans Pelicans earn second postseason berth in five seasons". USA Today. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  50. "NBA playoffs: Pelicans hold off Trail Blazers 97-95 in Game 1". latimes.com. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  51. "No. 6 seed Pelicans make NBA playoff history with first-round sweep of Trail Blazers". USA Today. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
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