NEW ORLEANS -- Any time a team, no matter the sport, goes into a slump, it's up to someone to pick up the slack and get things back moving in the right direction. So far, during the New Orleans Pelicans three-game losing streak, no one has stepped up to the plate.

In fact, the Pelicans have only won three games in 2023. They have fallen to fourth place in the Western Conference standings, and are now only six games over .500.

It's no doubt that the injuries to Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson have become more than challenging for the Nola team. Initially missing both of them seemed to be OK with the bench players stepping up. Some were even saying that BI might mess up the chemistry if he came back in the mix -- that's how impressive the bench guys were playing.

But as it happens, other NBA players figured out the Pelicans' role-players moves, found a way to hold CJ McCollum to average numbers (most games), and now the Pels look disorganized and are playing out of character. The consistency that was there in December seems to have vanished.

However, the good news is this:

1) It's January; not May

2) It's better to get the growing pains figured out now than in April-May

3) Willie Green is the same coach he was when the Pels were winning

4) Zion and BI WILL both be back

5) The young guys will find out what they're made of

Eventually, things are going to start clicking again. Yes, it's much more difficult missing two-of-the-three super stars, but there's plenty of time to still finish this season the way the fans envisioned.

Hopefully things will get back on track in the Pelicans next game, which is Sunday, Jan. 22 at 2:30 PM CST.

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