Locked On Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans secure their second win of the season with a gritty 101-99 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, but this ugly triumph reveals more about the franchise's future than the final score suggests. Can rookie Derik Queen's raw talent and clutch fourth-quarter performance signal hope for a team that started 0-6? Jake Madison breaks down why this win matters beyond the standings, examining Queen's game-changing plays, Trey Murphy III's impact despite poor shooting numbers, and Jose Alvarado's spark plug performance that earned him a team-high plus-12. The discussion covers Saddiq Bey's 22-point scoring outburst, the team's improved defensive rebounding, and whether these back-to-back victories save head coach Willie Green's job despite persistent offensive concerns without Zion Williamson and Jordan Poole Key topics include the Pelicans' two-timeline approach balancing win-now goals with young player development, rookie Jeremiah Fears' struggles, and what this scrappy performance reveals about the t