Willie Green’s blunt statement after Pelicans-Thunder

The New Orleans Pelicans fell to 5-19 after a 119-109 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night. To make matters worse, star forward Brandon Ingram injured his ankle on the team’s first offensive possession of the second half. Ingram rolled over in pain after stepping on Lu Dort’s foot during a three-point attempt.

New Orleans will already be without Zion Williamson for the foreseeable future as he struggles with a hamstring injury. If Ingram’s injury is long-term, the Pelicans will have no way to compensate for the absence of both stars from the lineup.

Head coach Willie Green spoke to the media after the game about the team’s psyche after Ingram’s injury in the game, saying: “It was an unacceptable start, committing turnovers, allowing a team to score 42 points, we need to for 48 minutes be better.”

Green told reporters after the game that there was no update on Ingram at this time. Ingram struggled to find his rhythm in the first half, attempting just four shots and scoring five points. Oklahoma City has the No. 1 NBA defense and they have devised a good plan to limit the Pelicans’ leading scorer this season.

The Pelicans will have to regroup quickly as the team travels to San Antonio for a clash on Sunday. Injuries have dented optimism this season with setbacks to Ingram, Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum.

New Orleans has only won one road game this season, an early season game against the Portland Trail Blazers. With both stars seemingly out for a while, the Pelicans need to find a way to win before the season is over.

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