Despite the roster overhaul and head coaching change this off-season for the Pelicans, Lonzo Ball will maintain his spot in the starting line-up in the backcourt to kick off the preseason.
The remainder of the starting lineup is uncertain. Eric Bledsoe did not make the trip with the team to Miami after an out-of-market excused absence led to him missing a test. To return to the team, Bledsoe will need a series of negative tests that he had not yet entirely fulfilled.
JJ Redick also did not make the trip with the team to Miami after being a point of contact for a false-positive test, leading to him staying in New Orleans “out of an abundance of caution,” per Stan Van Gundy.
The rest of the starting lineup will be comprised of Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson and Steven Adams. Coming into the game, Adams was a game-time decision with calf tightness.
