Herbert Jones

For players returning after a month-long absence, it’s understood — expected, even — for it to take a game or five before they reintroduce the traits that made them elite. As the often-described “heart and soul” of the New Orleans Pelicans’ defensive infrastructure, Herb Jones determined that in his case, a warm-up game wouldn’t be required. Accepting of the task that no recent Pelicans defender had succeeded in — defending Devin Booker’s fire-breathing offense — Jones instinctively unglues himself of Mason Plumlee, recognizing the opportunity at a high-profile, game-winning stop. Only needing to maintain pace with the Phoenix Suns’ star for 2.7 seconds, Jones stays in lockstep with Booker’s direction-changing between-the-leg dribble before using a teammate’s well-timed help to deliver a shutdown sequence. It marked an unforgettable 48-hour celebratory run for Jones, who, one day earlier, celebrated a high school jersey retirement some four hours away. Finally somewhat healthy, New Orleans entered December 5, 2024’s win column, with Jones coordinating 17 defensive “stocks,” followed by a 12-point, seven-rebound, five-assist, four-steal, one-block, two-triple contribution individually, alongside an eye-opening 10 deflections and a +13 plus-minus.