Pelicans End Season, Thumped By T-Wolves

The New Orleans Pelicans season ended in appropriate fashion. A team marred by injuries only had 7 active players healthy enough to play in the season finale.

A 144-109 road loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves was the final result, putting an end to a season many expected to be the Pelicans arrival.

Instead, the Pels lost a league-high 391 games to injury, never having an opportunity to gel with a consistent roster, being forced to use a different starting lineup in half the games of an 82 game season.

"The thing we have to do is flush this season down the toilet," said New Orleans head coach Alvin Gentry after the loss.

Of the 7 active players on Wednesday night, only 3 were on the Pelicans opening day roster.

"I don't know what you can get out of a season with so many injuries and not an opportunity for me to adjust to the players and the players to adjust to me," added Gentry.

New Orleans has the 6th best odds in the NBA draft lottery.

The Pelicans will learn where their first round draft pick will be on May 19th when the first round lottery is set. New Orleans could potentially land the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 7th, or 8th overall pick in the draft. They also possess two 2nd round picks.

Draft night is June 25th, something Gentry is already preparing for.

"We'll start preparing right away. As a matter of fact, we've already started preparing," noted Gentry. "We'll meet as a staff and start to discuss things and take a look at all the guys who may be available."

For what it's worth, James Ennis scored 28, while Omer Asik added 24 points and 11 rebounds for the Pelicans in the loss.

Veteran center Kendrick Perkins appeared to hit his first career 3 pointer in the final seconds of the third quarter, but officials ruined the fun with a review, correctly changing it to a two point field goal as Perk's foot was on the line.

"That was about the lightest side of the whole night", said Gentry.

The Pelicans needed something to smile about. They didn't have many opportunities to in this tough season.