Elfrid Payton made a significant impact during the New Orleans Pelicans’ 114-110 defeat to the Indiana Pacers, showcasing his skills under challenging circumstances. The 30-year-old point guard, who recently returned to the NBA after being out of the league since May 2022, delivered an impressive performance despite the team’s loss.
In just 31 minutes of play, Payton recorded 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting, along with 21 assists, seven rebounds, and two steals. His 21 assists not only set a new personal best—surpassing his previous high of 16 assists achieved in back-to-back games in March 2019—but also marked the second-highest assist total in Pelicans history. The franchise record is held by Rajon Rondo, who dished out 25 assists in a 128-113 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on December 27, 2017.
Payton’s last appearance in an NBA regular season game was with the Phoenix Suns during the 2021-22 season. Following that, he spent two years with the Fort Wayne Mad Ants in the NBA G League and had a brief stint with Osos de Manatí in Puerto Rico’s top-tier league before rejoining the NBA.
The Pelicans signed Payton to bolster their backcourt depth amid a series of injuries. His performance against the Pacers suggests he still has much to contribute. In his three starts, Payton has averaged 9.7 points, 11.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.7 steals in 26.3 minutes per game. However, these numbers may not be sustainable, especially with Dejounte Murray nearing a return from a hand fracture and Jose Alvarado recovering from a hamstring injury. Murray is expected to return for the Pelicans’ matchup against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday.
If both players return, Payton’s time as a starter may be short-lived, concluding right after his standout performance. Nevertheless, he is likely to remain a valuable contributor off the bench for the remainder of the season, at least until Alvarado is back in the rotation.
In less than a week since signing with the Pelicans, Payton has demonstrated that he still has a place in the NBA, proving his worth to both the team and the league.
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