After an uneven performance on Monday, the New Orleans Pelicans (0-3) are confident that rookie Jeremiah Fears can bounce back and put the outing behind him.
Fears earned his first start against the Boston Celtics with Zion Williamson sidelined because of a foot injury. He recorded two points, two rebounds, two assists and one steal, finishing a team-worst minus-31 in 26 minutes during the 122-90 loss at the Smoothie King Center.
The No. 7 pick in the draft went 1-of-11 from the field, including four missed attempts from 3-point range. He was forced to hoist up a few shots to avoid a shot-clock violation, which could have thrown off his rhythm a bit, but the display isn’t a concern to the team.
“I’m not even worried about Fears,” Williamson said on Tuesday after practice. “Fears is already a pro’s pro. It is his first year here. He is a dog. Stuff like that don’t weigh him down. He is just going to come in the next day and get back to it.”
Fears debuted with the Pelicans on Oct. 22, recording 17 points and two assists on 7-of-10 shooting from the field against the Memphis Grizzlies. He followed that performance up with 13 points and four rebounds, converting five of his eight shot attempts against San Antonio.
The 19-year-old played three preseason games with the Pelicans, averaging 13 points, 3.3 rebounds and 3.3 assists on 40% shooting from the field. He registered three double-digit scoring outings, including a 20-point effort on Oct. 14.
Fears impressed throughout the summer after living in the gym and weight room. The Pelicans understand outings like Monday can happen as a first-year player, and they believe he will use it as motivation after watching him work throughout training camp.
“(I) love what he brings to our team,” coach Willie Green said. “He is a young guy. These moments will happen, but just stay aggressive (and) stay confident in what he is doing. He is a worker. He was on the court earlier this morning getting after it. We will put him right back on the floor, and he will get right to it.”
