NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The Pelicans are making history this weekend as they will become the first-ever NBA team to play games in Australia.
The games are part of NBLxNBA, a series started in 2017 between NBA teams and teams from the National Basketball League of Australia. This weekend’s games will be the first to happen outside of the U.S. and Canada.
With the games being held “Down Under”, start times may be odd for fans back in the States. On Friday (Oct. 3), the Pelicans will face Melbourne United. Early risers back home can brew a pot of coffee and watch the historic tipoff at 4:30 a.m. (U.S. Central Standard Time) live on the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network.
The following night, the Pelicans will face off against another Australian team in the area, the South East Melbourne Phoenix. That game will tip off at 10 p.m., U.S. Central time.
With the historic meeting coming up, Australia is buzzing about an NBA team arriving to face two of the top teams in their premier league.
The South East Melbourne Phoenix players and their coaches have been talking about Pelicans star Zion Williamson’s arrival in particular.
“I want to step up and take charge and hope my sternum stays intact,” said center Jordan Hunter.
Guard Angus Glover said he wants no part of Zion’s smoke.
“I’m definitely not getting dunked on by Zion,” Glover said with a smile. “I’m getting out of the way, and I’ll take that on the chin.”
Head coach Josh King shared his concerns for his players dealing with the force of Zion.
“I expect them to get out of the way,” King joked.
Forward Ellis Biggar sees a potential head-to-head with the former All-Star as the opportunity of a lifetime.
“I’m putting my body on the line,” Biggar said. “Worst case scenario, you get put on a poster…But I think that’s something you can still tell your kids about one day.”
The Pelicans themselves are making the most out of their Aussie trip as well. The vets made the rookies dress in Australian safari gear for the plane ride over.
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Dejounte Murray and rookie Derrik Queen are expected to be healthy scratches for this weekend’s games. Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, and Herb Jones are expected to be a full go.
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