With 4:08 remaining in the first quarter, the New Orleans Pelicans got one hell of a spark off the bench.
The eight minutes leading up to that first time out were far from just any other game. Sure, the Pelicans were playing the visiting Portland Trailblazers well. Anthony Davis was already putting up impressive numbers. The rest of the team was competent, yet unimpressive.
But there was excitement in the air, for the crowd knew that any time out from a foul whistle could be the moment Jrue Holiday checked into a game for the first time of 2016-17 NBA season.