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Duke Basketball: Jahlil Okafor taking charge with Anthony Davis injured

By Kevin Connelly

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Jahlil Okafor #8 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball over Jevon Carter #3 of the Memphis Grizzliesat Smoothie King Center on January 07, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 07: Jahlil Okafor #8 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots the ball over Jevon Carter #3 of the Memphis Grizzliesat Smoothie King Center on January 07, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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The former Duke Basketball star, Jahlil Okafor, has bounced around in his short NBA career, but with Anthony Davis sideline, he is looking to make a name for himself with the Pelicans.

The New Orleans Pelicans superstar Anthony Davis could be sidelined for as many as four weeks with a left finger injury sustained in the Pelicans loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on January 8.

With Davis off the floor for New Orleans, it has opened the door for former 2015 National Champion Jahlil Okafor to make some noise for the Pelicans who are trying to claw its way back into the playoff conversation.

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Okafor was inserted into the staring lineup for the Pelicans on Monday against the Memphis Grizzlies and posted his season high in scoring with 20 points. Okafor also added 10 rebounds, two blocks, and a steal in the Pelicans 105-85 victory.

The former No. 3 overall pick in the 2015 Draft also received his season high in minutes, logging 35 minutes against Memphis.

Prior to Monday, Okafor’s previous season high in points was 17 back on December 19 in a loss to the Milwaukee Bucks and Okafor’s previous season high in minutes was 24 on January 7 also against the Memphis Grizzlies.

On Monday, Okafor made nine of his eleven shot attempts and went two of three from the free throw line, while not committing a turnover.

While only averaging 9.9 minutes per game, Okafor is putting up 4.9 points and 3.1 rebounds per game.

The New Orleans Pelicans currently sit as the No. 12 seed in the Western Conference with a 22-25 record. The Pelicans are three games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the coveted No. 8 seed in the West.

Jahlil Okafor and the rest of the Pelicans will look to try and build off of Monday’s victory on Wednesday night as New Orleans hosts the Detroit Pistons at 8:00 pm ET before facing a crucial five game stretch starting on Thursday night against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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