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Pelicans Fall Short in Summer League Finale
16 Jul
Summary
- Pelicans concluded their Summer League with a 2-2 record.
- Chris Bell showed promise with an efficient 12-point performance.
- Several key players like Dickinson and Bufkin did not play.
The New Orleans Pelicans finished their 2026 Summer League play on Wednesday afternoon, suffering an 82-77 defeat against the Cleveland Cavaliers. This loss brought their Summer League record to 2-2.
The Cavaliers' strong defense proved challenging for the Pelicans, resulting in a low shooting percentage for the team, which finished with 36/20/71 splits. Chris Bell was a standout performer for the Pelicans, scoring 12 points on efficient 4-of-7 shooting, including a sequence with a three-pointer, steal, and dunk that caught the coaches' attention.
Several players did not see action in this final game, including Hunter Dickinson, Jaron Pierre Jr., Kobe Bufkin, and Jalon Moore. Dickinson already holds a two-way deal for the upcoming season, expected to serve as depth at center. Pierre Jr. is also anticipated to receive a two-way deal, potentially playing with the Laketown Squadron.
Bufkin and Moore, who had strong showings earlier in the Summer League, have less certainty regarding their roster spots. Bufkin impressed as a potential backup point guard, while Moore, who recovered from a torn Achilles, has also looked strong. The team's decisions on these players could influence roster composition for the new season.
