Josh Hart, Nickeil Alexander-Walker sat courtside during New Orleans Pelicans' win over Houston Rockets after being traded

NEW ORLEANS — There were two familiar, recently traded faces sitting courtside Tuesday night for the New Orleans Pelicans' matchup against the Houston Rockets.

Guards Josh Hart and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, whom the Pelicans traded earlier in the day to the Portland Trail Blazers along with Tomas Satoransky and Didi Louzada for CJ McCollum, Tony Snell and Larry Nance Jr., decided to sit courtside Tuesday to see their former teammates one more time before heading to the Pacific Northwest.

Both players were informed of the trade at shootaround and spoke to teammates then but decided to come to the game. Alexander-Walker told ESPN he «just needed to say goodbye to everyone.»

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«That was special,» Pelicans forward Brandon Ingram said. «It kind of shows the organization that we want to be identified as. Having those guys here and actually being a brother outside of basketball, just really getting along with each other, that was special. It shows their character, too, being traded on this day and supporting the guys they've been with. That's special.»

Ingram said he found out they might attend the game from the Pelicans' staff because Alexander-Walker had his tickets. Ingram said it was shocking.

«It meant the world to me to see Josh and Nickeil on the sideline still cheering us on,» Ingram said.

Sitting courtside tonight