It probably says a lot about NBA teams’ mostly unsuccessful search for continuity in 2021-22 that New Orleans’ current first unit has only started nine games together this season, yet still has logged the 14th-most minutes (182) of any five-man lineup. Pelicans first-year head coach Willie Green has leaned on the combination of Devonte’ Graham, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, Herbert Jones and Jonas Valanciunas since it debuted Nov. 24, spearheading Green’s club to a first-quarter lead and eventual 127-102 rout over Washington.
After wins last week vs. Oklahoma City and Milwaukee, that starting five has now gone 6-3 overall, with New Orleans just 4-18 in its other games (Graham, Hart, Ingram and Jones have been sidelined for a combined 20 games due to injury).