Jordan Poole gets a major injury upgrade against the Blazers

Jordan Poole he didn’t play for New Orleans Pelicans from November 4 due to a left quadruple strain. Now, after missing more than a month of action, it looks like Poole could come back on Thursday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.

For the first time in weeks, Poole upgraded his status to questionable ahead of this game against Portland, indicating the team’s optimism about his chances to play.

This is the first time that Poole has been listed as questionable, with the time frame for the injury being longer than what was originally described.

When was the injury first announcedthe team downplayed the severity of Poole’s injury, saying he would be re-evaluated in a week. More than two weeks after their initial injury diagnosis for Poole, the Pelicans cleared the guard for basketball activities on the court with no clear timetable for his eventual return.

While the Pelicans have been tight-lipped about Poole’s progress and injury status, the team’s announcement Wednesday that the team has listed him as questionable for Thursday’s game is certainly a step in the right direction.

It’s been a season to forget for the Pelicans so far, as they go 3-22 overall. Since Poole’s injury, the team has gone 2-16, most recently losing 135-132 to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday.

Before the injury, Poole averaged 17.3 points and 3.4 assists per game while shooting 35.4 percent from the floor and 33.9 percent from 3-point range. Rookie guard Jeremiah Fears has taken over as the lead point guard in Poole’s absence, and that appears to be his role moving forward, possibly pushing the former NBA champion guard to the bench.

As a result of Fears’ emergence in New Orleans, many around the league began to take notice what Poole’s future with the organization will look like. Although the Pelicans traded CJ McCollum in a buyout package last offseason, his status in New Orleans suddenly came into question.

Poole will make $31.8 million this season and $34 million next season before becoming an unrestricted free agent in 2027, so he could have suitors before Feb. 5. After all, he is a former NBA champion with the Warriors and has been a key scoring weapon for them off the bench.

The Pelicans will certainly have some decisions to make on Poole before the trade deadline, along with other key talents such as Trey Murphy III, Herb Jones and Jose Alvarado.

The team will provide further updates on Poole’s status for Thursday’s game against the Trail Blazers later in the day.