New Orleans Pelicans: Top 10 moments from 2017-18 NBA season

10. Diallo posts a double-double against Dallas Mavericks

Although losing an All-Star caliber player is never a good thing, one of the positives is that other players are given an opportunity to step up and prove they can produce when their number is called.

This was the case for second-year forward Cheick Diallo in a road game against the Dallas Mavericks in late March. Although they allowed the Mavs to trim what was once a 16-point deficit down to four points early in the fourth quarter, order was restored and the Pelicans went on to win the game 126-109.

Sure, Holiday’s 30 points and seven dimes played a role in the final outcome. Anthony Davis and Nikola Mirotic combining for 47 points and 18 rebounds certainly didn’t hurt, either. However, Diallo – who averaged just over 11 minutes per contest – posted a double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds in 23 minutes of action.

It should also be mentioned that two weeks later, Diallo was at it again, posting his third double-double of the season against this same Mavericks squad. The second time around, he finished with 10 points and 14 rebounds, as the Pels rolled to a 115-105 victory.