The Detroit Pistons visit the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday, January 21, at 7:00 p.m. ET at Smoothie King Center. Detroit leads the Eastern Conference at 31-10, while New Orleans sits last in the Western Conference with a 10-35 record.
Detroit enters the contest on a three-game winning streak, having narrowly beaten Boston 104-103 on January 19 and dominating Indiana 121-78 on January 17.
The Pistons’ injury report lists several absences, including Isaac Jones, Bobi Klintman, Chaz Lanier, Wendell Moore Jr., and Tolu Smith, all out due to G League assignments or two-way status. Caris LeVert is questionable with an illness.
Key contributors for Detroit remain healthy, with Cade Cunningham averaging 25.7 points, 9.8 assists, and 5.9 rebounds per game, while Jalen Duren posts 17.8 points and 10.7 rebounds. Tobias Harris and Duncan Robinson add scoring depth, combining for nearly 26 points per game. Ausar Thompson and Isaiah Stewart provide additional two-way impact on both ends of the court.
The Pelicans are dealing with significant injuries themselves. Dejounte Murray is sidelined with a right Achilles rupture, and Jose Alvarado misses the game with a left oblique strain. Herbert Jones is listed as questionable with a right ankle sprain, while Trey Alexander and Hunter Dickinson are out due to G League assignments.
New Orleans is coming off back-to-back losses, 110-119 to Houston on January 18 and 119-127 to Indiana on January 16.
Trey Murphy III leads the team in scoring at 22.2 points per game, followed by Zion Williamson at 22.5 and Saddiq Bey at 15.1. Jeremiah Fears contributes 13.9 points per game as the primary point guard.
