Will James Harden and Kevin Durant Play Tonight? Brooklyn Nets vs New Orleans Pelicans: Injury Updates, Lineups, and Prediction

The Brooklyn Nets have played more than 50 games in the 2020-21 NBA regular season, but they haven’t faced the New Orleans Pelicans yet. However, the Pelicans and the Nets will clash for the first time on Wednesday. 

Venue: Barclays Center

Time: 7:30 PM ET (April 7, 2021) 

The Brooklyn Nets are the most dangerous team in the association right now. Their offensive rating is a stat to behold, but how will it go down when the Nets face the 11th seeded New Orleans Pelicans? They haven’t met each other so far, hence, it will be a thrilling experience! 

Brooklyn Nets vs New Orleans Pelicans: Injury Updates and Lineups

Nets

The Brooklyn Nets probably have the strongest roster in the NBA. But that doesn’t mean the team can escape the threat of injuries. The team is hindered by an unfortunate list of injuries to their star players. 

James Harden is the top player who will miss the Pelicans game on Wednesday. While Landry Shamet and Kevin Durant are on the day-to-day list, Tyler Johnson and Spencer Dinwiddie are the two other players who will be unavailable against New Orleans. 

Possible Lineup

Bruce Brown (G)

Kyrie Irving (G) 

Joe Harris (F) 

Blake Griffin (F) 

LaMarcus Aldridge (C) 

Pelicans 

The New Orleans Pelicans have not been matching their expectations this season. The team has been struggling to gain a proper rhythm and has won only eight of its 23 road this season. 

While Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram have been terrific on the offensive end, the Pelicans have the third-worst defensive rating in the league. 

As for injuries, there are two players on the day-to-day list and three players who are confirmed to be out for the Nets game. Jaxson Hayes and Kira Lewis Jr. are the probable athletes, while Brandon Ingram, John Hart, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are out due to injuries. 

Possible Lineup

Lonzo Ball (G) 

Eric Bledsoe (G) 

Wes Iwundu (F) 

Zion Williamson (F) 

Steven Adams (C) 

Prediction

The Brooklyn Nets are 4-1 in their last five games while the New Orleans Pelicans are 3-2. This stat alone suggests who has been the better team recently. 

The Nets wouldn’t be too hindered by the absence of James Harden and Kevin Durant, as they’ve got the red-hot Kyrie Irving getting buckets for them. The Pelicans are a threatening unit on the fast-break, but the Nets still hold the advantage over them.

Purely based on recent form, we predict that the Brooklyn Nets will get the win over the New Orleans Pelicans! 

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