Pelicans-Mavericks: Luka Doncic returns, gives Pels loss | Pelicans

DALLAS — Willie Green’s first task after taking over as Pelicans coach in 2021 was guiding New Orleans’ Summer League squad.

Incoming rookies Trey Murphy, Jose Alvarado and Herb Jones played on that team. So did sophomore forward Naji Marshall.

Over a nine-day stretch in Las Vegas, the Summer League Pelicans went 5-0. Marshall jokingly referred to them as the “Summer League champs,” even though New Orleans finished third, a result of point differential.

“He (Marshall) has always been an extremely tough kid,” said Green, whose injury-ravaged Pelicans lost to the Dallas Mavericks 132-91 on Tuesday. “He can guard. He’s mentally tough. He’s got size. He plays with a chip on his shoulder. He’s high character. He’s about the right things.”

The Pelicans signed Marshall in 2020 as an undrafted free agent. In four years with the team, Marshall developed into a valuable bench piece and helped New Orleans reach the playoffs twice. A tenacious defender with ball-handling skills, Marshall signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Mavericks in free agency last summer.

On Tuesday, Marshall played for the first time against the Pelicans. In the first quarter, Brandon Ingram – Marshall’s close friend – made a contested 3-pointer over the Mavericks forward. It was one of the few plays that went in the Pelicans’ favor. With so many key contributors out, New Orleans had a slim chance against Dallas, which got Luka Doncic back in the lineup after he missed a game Sunday with a right knee contusion.

Marshall scored 15 points in 20 minutes.

“I’m extremely happy for him,” Green said. “I want to see him continue to do well. … You see his production when he steps on the floor. He can get them in sets. He guards the best defenders on the floor. He’s going to make a big difference this team.”

The Mavericks, who made a finals run last summer, have started slowly by their standards. They are 8-7.

The Pelicans, meanwhile, have struggled mightily in Green’s fourth season, mostly due to so many key players being out. The Pelicans have lost 11 of 13 games. Tuesday’s loss dropped them to 4-11.

Guard CJ McCollum is the closest of the Pelicans’ injured players to a return. It’s possible he could be back in the lineup as soon as Friday’s game against the Golden State Warriors.

The Pelicans beat the Denver Nuggets in their NBA Cup group stage last week. Their loss to the Mavericks meant New Orleans fell to 1-1 in the group stage with two group games remaining.