Age: 26
NBA experience: Three seasons (three with Pelicans)
Games played/games started: 56/0
Key stats: 7.1 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.1 apg, 37.7 three-point percentage
Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado’s 2023-24 NBA season overview
He’s the plucky 6-foot underdog with the undrafted background, but New Orleans’ backup point guard is rarely underappreciated in the Crescent City. His regular season individual statistics may not jump off the page, but his impact on winning was undeniable: the Pelicans went 38-18 in his 56 regular season games, but just 11-15 in the 26 he missed. Those records were also reflected in the fact that the New York City native finished second on New Orleans in aggregate plus-minus (+240), behind only Trey Murphy (+265) – which in itself is a testament to how effective the squad’s bench became. As was the case for fellow Pelicans reserves Murphy, Naji Marshall and Larry Nance Jr., Alvarado was sidelined by injury early in 2023-24, but contributed greatly to a second unit that commonly erased deficits or expanded leads.
“It was a rough start from the beginning,” said Alvarado, whose season debut wasn’t until Nov. 20. “Came in with an injury. Had to get that feeling, that emotion, that swag back. It’s hard to do during the season.”
New Orleans was just 6-7 before Alvarado debuted, then went 15-7 over its next 22 games. He shot a career high in three-point percentage and led the Pelicans in assist-to-turnover ratio (2.93), before struggling in the playoffs vs. Oklahoma City. He wasn’t alone in that regard.
“Overall regular season was cool, but this playoff series made me personally think it didn’t mean (squat),” he said in his April 30 exit interview. “I’ve got to figure it out and keep on improving.”
Jose Alvarado Top Plays | 2023‑24 NBA Season Highlights
Jose Alvarado's Pelicans Podcast recap
The Advocate's Christian Clark recaps New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado's 2023-24 NBA season.
Jose Alvarado's per-game stats from the 2023-24 NBA season
| GP | GS | MIN | FG% | 3P% | FT% | REB | AST | STL | BLK | PTS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Alvarado | 56 | 0 | 18.4 | 41.2% | 37.7% | 67.3% | 2.3 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 7.1 |
Photos: Jose Alvarado 2023‑24 Season in Review
1 / 25NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 29: Jose Alvarado #15 of the New Orleans Pelicans handles the ball during the game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round 1 Game 4 of the 2024 NBA Playoffs on April 29, 2024 at the Smoothie King Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2024 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)
Jose Alvarado by the numbers
35
Games (out of his 56 appearances) that New Orleans won Alvarado’s minutes during the regular season. There were 19 times the Pelicans were outscored with him on the floor, as well as two break-even nights. They went 28-7 when Alvarado had a positive plus-minus.
8-1
New Orleans record when Alvarado sank at least three three-pointers. NOLA also won eight of the nine times when he dished out at least four assists (all wins for both stats were by at least an eight-point margin).
32.2
Alvarado three-point percentage over his first two NBA seasons (115 of 357). Three-fifths of his total shot attempts from the field in 2023-24 were at the three-point arc, compared to roughly half during the previous season.
Jose Alvarado’s three most notable games
#1, March 22, New Orleans 111, Miami 88
Revenge was sweet, as Alvarado got payback in the best way possible, delivering a season-high 17 points, along with seven rebounds and six assists in a rout over the Heat. A month earlier, Alvarado was ejected from a Feb. 23 loss to Miami due to an altercation with Heat backup center Thomas Bryant.
#2, April 19, New Orleans 105, Sacramento 98
The Pelicans reached the playoffs for a second time in three years via this play-in tournament win. Alvarado was part of a stalwart bench performance, delivering 10 points, five rebounds, two steals and one block.
Jonas Valanciunas block leads to Jose Alvarado circus finish | Pelicans-Kings Play-In Highlights 4/19/24
Play-In highlights from New Orleans vs. the Sacramento Kings in their 2024 NBA Play-In Tournament game on Friday, April 19, 2024 as center Jonas Valanciunas blocks a shot leading to a circus finish in transition by guard Jose Alvarado
Willie Green recaps win over Sacramento | Pelicans-Kings Play-In Postgame 4/19/2024
New Orleans Pelicans vs. Sacramento Kings NBA Western Conference Play-In Tournament postgame interviews with head coach Willie Green after the Pelicans' 105-98 win over the Kings on Friday, April 19 during the 2023-24 NBA season.
#3, Dec. 31, New Orleans 129, LA Lakers 109
The quintessential Alvarado game, he finished with eight points and one assist but still was one of the most impactful players in a blowout win. He finished with four steals, pulling off thievery against both LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
Jose Alvarado’s player participation report
After missing the first 13 games due to a right ankle sprain, Alvarado was on the court for 51 of the next 59 contests (New Orleans went 38-21 over that timeframe after a 6-7 start). However, he was sidelined for five games of the team’s costly 1-5 homestand. Overall, he logged fewer total minutes (1,028) than he did in Year 2 (1,310), also partly due to the varying availability of teammates.