The New Orleans Pelicans (3-1) suffered their first defeat of the 2022-23 preseason, losing 120-103 to the Miami Heat (4-1).
The Pelicans had a number of players sit this contest out. Brandon Ingram, Jonas Valanciunas, Larry Nance Jr. and Dyson Daniels joined Kira Lewis Jr. and Jaxson Hayes on the sidelines.
The team also proceeded to lose Zion Williamson at halftime to left ankle soreness. Willie Green reassured fears in postgame though, saying that Williamson is doing fine after rolling his ankle. He’ll be considered day-to-day moving forward.
While the Pelicans were noticeably undermanned, the Heat were not and received Miami’s best shot as their starters played a full allotment of minutes through most of the first three quarters.