DALLAS— Willie Green’s first assignment after taking over as Pelicans coach in 2021 was coaching New Orleans’ Summer League team.

Incoming rookies Trey Murphy, Jose Alvarado and Herb Jones played on that team. So did sophomore forward Naji Marshall.

Over nine days in Las Vegas, the Summer League Pelicans went 5-0. Marshall jokingly called them “Summer League Champions,” even though New Orleans finished in third place, due to points differential.

“He (Marshall) has always been an extremely tough kid,” said Green, whose injury devastated the Pelicans on Tuesday against the Dallas Mavericks 132-91. “He can guard. He is mentally strong. He has size. He plays with a chip on his shoulder. He has a high character. He is about the right things.”

The Pelicans signed Marshall in 2020 as an undrafted free agent. In four years with the team, Marshall developed into a valuable bench piece and helped New Orleans reach the playoffs twice. Marshall, a tenacious, ball-handling defender, signed a three-year, $27 million contract with the Mavericks in free agency last summer.

On Tuesday, Marshall played against the Pelicans for the first time. In the first quarter, Brandon Ingram – Marshall’s good friend – made a controversial 3-pointer over the Mavericks’ forward. That was one of the few plays that went in the Pelicans’ favor. With so many key players out, New Orleans had little chance against Dallas, forcing Luka Doncic back into the lineup after missing a game on Sunday with a right knee contusion.

Marshall scored 15 points in 20 minutes.

“I’m extremely happy for him,” Green said. “I want him to continue to do well. … You can see his production when he steps on the floor. He can get them in sets. He guards the best defenders on the floor. He’s going to make a big difference in this team.”

The Mavericks, who reached a finals round last summer, have gotten off to a slow start by their standards. They are 8-7.

The Pelicans, meanwhile, have struggled mightily in Green’s fourth season, especially with so many key players out. The Pelicans have lost eleven of thirteen games. Tuesday’s loss dropped them to 4-11.

Guard CJ McCollum is the closest to a return among the Pelicans’ injured players. It’s possible he could be back in the lineup for Friday’s game against the Golden State Warriors.

The Pelicans defeated the Denver Nuggets in their NBA Cup group play opener last week. Their loss to the Mavericks meant New Orleans fell to 1–1 in the group stage, with two group stage games remaining.