The New Orleans Pelicans (8-31) visit the Washington Wizards (10-26) on Friday at Capital One Arena, aiming to snap a nine-game losing streak. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET in a matchup featuring heavy injuries on both sides.
New Orleans will be without Dejounte Murray (right Achilles rupture), Jose Alvarado (left oblique soreness), Saddiq Bey (right hip flexor), and Hunter Dickinson (G League two-way), while Herbert Jones (right ankle sprain) is listed as doubtful and Trey Murphy III (low back spasms) is questionable.
The Wizards enter the game without CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, both pending trades to Atlanta for Trae Young, and Cam Whitmore (right shoulder DVT) is also sidelined. Washington has lost two straight, including a 110-131 defeat to the Philadelphia 76ers.
Zion Williamson leads the Pelicans with 22.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists over 23 games, while Trey Murphy III averages 21.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Jordan Poole contributes 16.1 points per game in a supporting role, with Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen adding secondary scoring and playmaking.
For the Wizards, Alex Sarr leads with 17.4 points and 7.8 rebounds, while Kyshawn George averages 15.0 points and 5.1 assists. Tre Johnson contributes 12.3 points per contest, and Bilal Coulibaly provides 10.5 points and 4.8 rebounds. Kevin Bagley and Khris Middleton offer veteran depth.
Both teams have struggled defensively this season, with the Pelicans allowing 122.7 points per game and the Wizards 124.2, placing them near the bottom of the NBA.
New Orleans has been outscored in recent games, losing 100-117 to the Hawks and 103-111 to the Lakers.
The Pelicans and Wizards have not faced each other this season.
