The New Orleans Pelicans‘ hopes of reaching the NBA Summer League championship bracket officially came to an end Wednesday night.
New Orleans dropped an 82-77 decision to the Cleveland Cavaliers in its fourth Las Vegas Summer League contest, falling to 2-2 and eliminating itself from semifinal contention. While the result closed the door on a championship run, the game still provided valuable insight into the franchise’s young talent as roster decisions continue to approach.
Like much of the Pelicans’ Summer League, Wednesday’s contest featured encouraging defensive activity, strong rebounding stretches, and competitive effort. Unfortunately, inconsistent shooting once again prevented New Orleans from turning those positives into a victory.
The Pelicans finished just 26-of-72 (36%) from the field and 6-of-30 (20%) from three-point range, while Cleveland capitalized on timely baskets late to secure the five-point win.
For a Summer League roster built around player evaluation rather than wins and losses, however, several individual performances continued to stand out.
Defense Continued to Keep New Orleans Competitive
Despite the offensive struggles, the Pelicans remained within striking distance for much of the evening.
New Orleans forced 16 Cleveland turnovers, collected 11 steals, and blocked five shots, demonstrating the aggressive defensive identity Jamahl Mosley wants throughout the organization.
The Pelicans also battled nearly even on the glass, finishing with 39 rebounds compared to Cleveland’s 40, while grabbing 15 offensive rebounds that created valuable second-chance opportunities.
Those hustle statistics reflect a team that continues competing regardless of shooting percentages.
Unfortunately, converting those extra possessions into points proved far more difficult.
Film Room: Three Takeaways from the Loss
Shooting Efficiency Remains the Biggest Concern
The biggest difference in Wednesday’s game wasn’t effort.
It was execution.
New Orleans connected on only 20 percent of its three-point attempts while missing several quality perimeter looks created through ball movement.
The Cavaliers weren’t significantly better offensively, shooting 39 percent overall and 24 percent from beyond the arc, but they made enough timely baskets to protect their lead.
If the Pelicans hope to close games more effectively, perimeter consistency must improve.
Christian Shumate Continues to Impress
One of the night’s most encouraging performances belonged to Christian Shumate.
The forward finished with 8 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, a steal, and a block while posting the team’s best plus-minus (+11).
More importantly, Shumate consistently impacted possessions without needing plays called for him.
His activity on the offensive glass, defensive rotations, and willingness to do the little things continue strengthening his case for additional opportunities beyond Summer League.
Chris Bell Provided Needed Offense
Off the bench, Chris Bell delivered one of New Orleans’ most efficient scoring performances.
Bell scored 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting, knocked down a three-pointer, and added two rebounds while bringing energy to the second unit.
On a night when offense came at a premium, Bell’s production stood out.
Other Notable Performances
Melvin Council Jr.
Council finished with 9 points, 5 assists, and another active defensive performance.
While his scoring numbers were modest, his playmaking and ability to create for teammates continue to stand out.
His development throughout Summer League has been one of the more encouraging storylines for New Orleans.
Nate Mensah
Mensah contributed 7 rebounds and three steals, once again providing defensive intensity around the basket despite limited offensive production.
Malik Dia
Dia totaled 9 points and 5 rebounds, but struggled with efficiency, shooting 3-for-11 from the floor.
His rebounding remained valuable, though improved shot selection will be an area to monitor.
Markquis Nowell
Nowell led all Pelicans scorers with 20 points, but it came on a difficult shooting night. He finished 3-for-13 from the field and 2-for-11 from three-point range while making six free throws.
The scoring output demonstrated confidence, but the efficiency left room for improvement.
Big Q’s Take
Summer League isn’t ultimately about the scoreboard.
It’s about identifying players who can help your organization moving forward.
While the Pelicans won’t compete for the Las Vegas championship, this tournament has helped clarify several roster evaluations.
Christian Shumate continues doing the little things winning organizations value.
Chris Bell has shown flashes as a reliable scorer.
Melvin Council Jr. keeps demonstrating toughness and playmaking ability.
Those developments may prove more valuable than another Summer League victory.
Why It Matters
The loss officially eliminates New Orleans from the four-team Summer League semifinal field, but one game still remains between July 17 and July 19.
That final contest now becomes an important opportunity for players fighting for two-way contracts, Exhibit 10 deals, and future training camp invitations.
For the Pelicans’ front office, the evaluation process isn’t over.
If anything, it has become even more important.
The championship chase may be finished, but roster battles are just beginning.
By Gee Bino | The Who Dat Daily
Gee Bino is a senior writer and columnist for The Who Dat Daily, covering the New Orleans Saints, Pelicans, LSU athletics, and the Gulf South sports landscape. He specializes in roster construction, player development, salary cap strategy, and breaking news coverage. Follow The Who Dat Daily for daily news, analysis, and exclusive team coverage.
