Kira Lewis Jr. to game action in G League comeback

 

Kira Lewis Jr. hasn’t played in a professional basketball game in almost a year. Still, he’ll soon get the chance to do so while representing the G League affiliate of New Orleans in Birmingham. Lewis, who tore his right ACL playing at home against Denver in December, was sent to the G League’s Squadron on Monday, according to the Pelicans.

 

Meridianville, Alabama, about 100 miles north of Birmingham, is where Lewis was born.

 

According to Pelicans second-year head coach Willie Green, Lewis’s return to the court for game action “is absolutely exciting for him.” “The road has been long. We’ll watch the effort it takes to recover whenever you sustain an injury. Everyone here is happy for him.”

 

After Monday’s practice, a local TV reporter questioned Green about Lewis’ apparent popularity with his teammates, who have frequently shown support since his injury.

 

Green stated, “Kira’s character and who he is as a person have a lot to do with it.” “It’s so much fun to be around him. He is devoted. He was among the draft’s youngest players when he joined our team and was also extremely young at the time. You have to mature very quickly when you’re that young and put through those kinds of experiences. We support him because of who he is: he respects everyone, constantly has a smile and is having a good time. We merely want what is best for him.

 

Lewis will play for Birmingham for a while before finishing his duty and moving back to New Orleans. On Tuesday, the Squadron will host the Lakeland Magic.

 

Despite a couple of inconsistent shooting beginnings to seasons in his NBA career by his standards, Pelicans guard CJ McCollum said on Monday that he believes his game will only improve in 2022–23. McCollum remarked, “I don’t think I can shoot any worse than I’ve been shooting. “If you consider my playing style and career, I’m overdue for some leveling out on open shots. Green stated that McCollum has been suffering from an illness but has played through it by participating in all 13 games. It’s more about selecting my places and seizing opportunities. He’s been feeling under the weather, so he’s been battling that, says Green.

 

If the Pelicans combine McCollum and Jose Alvarado in more lines, McCollum might be able to play off the ball more. On Alvarado, McCollum said, “I enjoy the way he plays. I adore his enthusiasm and the way he works quickly. I don’t know what our plus-minus is (as a two-person lineup), but I would guess it’s perfect—and that’s with me not making any shots. He’s going to be the annoying defender. Consider when I start assisting him and acting as a floor-spacer for us.