Pelicans at Pacers Takeaways
Chrissy Smith • November 26, 2024
Team Stats
(Pelicans @ Pacers)
Final Score: 110-114
Rebounds: 44-41
Assists: 44-41
Blocks: 3-2
Steals: 9-10
Turnovers: 15-13
Stat Leaders
(Pelicans/Pacers)
Scoring Leaders: Trey Murphy III, 24; Tyrese Haliburton, 34
Rebound Leaders: Yves Missi, 13; Bennedict Mathurin/Myles Turner, 9
Assist Leaders: Elfrid Payton, 21; Tyrese Haliburton, 13
My Player of the Game: Elfrid Payton
Takeaways
- Elfrid Payton has been so CLUTCH for the Pelicans while dealing with so many injuries. With his 21 assists against the Pacers, he has had the most assists in a single NBA game this season.
- Even though the Pelicans lost this game by four and Friday's game against the Warriors by four points, the team is showing so much fight considering they're still without Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones, Jose' Alvarado and Zion Williamson.
- Rookie Yves Missi is a HIGHLIGHT for this Pelicans team right now. He is quick, plays smooth defense, and continually is getting better on offense.
- Trey Murphy III lit it up on the offensive end for the Pelicans, which is a great sign.
- Brandon Ingram is dealing with a minor calf injury so although he's playing, he's not 100%.
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QB 
Trace Johnson 
Trace Johnson is a pro-style pocket passer quarterback from the Class of 2026. Standing at 6-1 and weighing 190 pounds, he possesses a solid build for the position with room to add more mass at the college level. 
Originally from Gainesville, Florida, Johnson played his sophomore and junior seasons at Buchholz High School before transferring to Santa Margarita Catholic High School in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, ahead of his senior year in 2025. 
The move allowed him to compete in one of California’s top high school programs, where he helped lead the team to an Open Division State Championship. Johnson comes from strong football lineage as the son of Doug Johnson, a former University of Florida quarterback (1996-1999) who went on to a seven-year NFL career with teams like the Atlanta Falcons and Jacksonville Jaguars, amassing over 2,600 passing yards professionally. 
In addition to football, Johnson is a multi-sport athlete who also competes in baseball, showcasing his overall athleticism. Johnson committed to Tulane University on June 20, 2025, following an official visit, and signed his National Letter of Intent on December 3, 2025. He enrolled early at Tulane on January 12, 2026, positioning him to compete for playing time as a true freshman. 
Prior to his commitment, he held offers from programs including West Virginia, Wake Forest, Central Michigan, and Virginia, among others. 
Scouting Report: 
Arm Talent and Velocity: Johnson boasts a “cannon for an arm,” enabling him to make tight-window throws and deliver deep balls with precision and ease. His ability to thread the needle in coverage stands out as a pro-level trait. 
Touch and Deep Ball Accuracy: Exhibits excellent touch on longer throws, allowing receivers to track and adjust effectively. He gets the ball out on time, minimizing sacks and maximizing yards after catch. 
Progression Reading and Decision-Making: Patiently works through his reads without delaying his release, showing maturity beyond his years. His decision-making improved markedly over time, with interceptions dropping from 13 in 2023 to 5 in 2025. 
Clutch Performance and Improvement: Thrives in big games and playoffs, elevating his play when it matters most. He consistently got better as seasons progressed, adapting to new systems post-transfer. 
Poise and Leadership: Maintains composure under pressure, drawing from his pedigree to lead teams to championships and deep playoff runs. His work ethic and football IQ make him a natural field general. #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X
QB Zeon Chriss- Houston 
Hall has explicitly said the offense will be “built around our quarterback” with tempo, a passing attack, pro-style elements (including heavy tight end usage), and more speed than recent Tulane teams. Crucially, he wants “at least one quarterback who can move around a little bit, a dual-threat guy.”  
Hall has called Chriss “an extreme dual-threat guy with a strong arm” and loves the contrast with the other main contender Semonza/Bruno/Johnson. He specifically praised Chriss’s explosiveness from his UL days: “When he was at Louisiana several years ago, I was in that league and he was just dynamic… Just dominated that league with his legs and was probably the scariest player in that league.” 
Chriss’s career stats: 2,263 passing yards (64% completion, 17 TDs) plus nearly 1,000 rushing yards and 10 rushing TDs across 13 starts. His mobility adds a true QB-run threat that aligns with Hall’s run-first success model (which he helped install as Tulane’s former OC under Willie Fritz). #RollWave Make sure to follow Patrick Harkness on X