New Orleans Pelicans sharpshooter JJ Redick is getting his rhythm back this season, and this could be attributed to head coach Alvin Gentry's slight tweak in their starting line-up. Second year guard Kenrich Williams, an undrafted player who played in just 46 games for the Pels last year, has been inserted to the first five and has alleviated some defensive pressure off Redick.

Speaking to reporters after their 124-121 win over the Phoenix Suns at the Talking Stick Resort Arena on Thursday, the 35-year-old 13-year vet said the defensive-minded youngster is earning his minutes and making crucial plays down the stretch.

After a dreadful 1-7 start to the 2019-20 NBA regular season, New Orleans has found its stride and are 5-2 since moving “Kenny Hustle” to the starting unit.

Brandon Ingram has emerged as the team’s best player sans the recovering Zion Willimson, but Williams has also carved a niche as the perfect glue-guy who can cover the opposing team’s best scorer.

The 24-year old unheralded player has only reached double figures in scoring once in the Pelicans’ last 10 games, but he’s been a disruptive force in the passing lanes and has been willing to sacrifice his body by taking a lot of charges.

In 14 games so far, Williams is only averaging 6.1 points, 2.0 boards, and 1.1 assists in 24.6 minutes per game.

But he brings winning intangibles for the youth-laden squad, contributing two points (1-2 FG) and nine boards against the Suns, but was once again big defensively come crunch time.

Redick, meanwhile, has regained his shooting touch after a slow start this season, notching 14.2 points on 42.4 percent shooting from the field and 46.2 clip from three.