New Orleans injury update for Nets matchup
New Orleans Pelicans rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derrick Queen show varying levels of promise, and the team is showing more fight in the third quarter lately, but those positive developments are not enough to calm the fans’ current distress. The Pels (3-20) are 1-14 since Nov. 8 and are already six games out of the NBA play-in picture. Many share the blame for this fiasco, but injuries have absolutely decimated the team. Latest news is what the city expects from this franchise.
New Orleans will remain underdogs heading into Saturday’s road game against the also-beleaguered Brooklyn Nets (5-17). Jordan Poole and Herb Jones are ruled out, according to the injury report, and Yves Misi is listed as questionable. The organization has certainly made costly mistakes, but this group is as understaffed as any team in the league.
Zion Williamson will be re-evaluated because of his hamstring strain around Christmas, Dejounte Murray is still a few weeks away, and Poole and Jones have both been sidelined since before Thanksgiving. Pelicans fired HC Willie Green in mid-November, but little can be done with this depleted group.
Jordan Poole and Herb Jones at least tend to return to action. The former is dealing with a quad that has kept him out for the past three weeks, and the latter is nursing a strain of calves since November 21. The Pelicans could use the scoring and defense they provide, respectively.
Yves Missy has missed the last two games with foot and ankle injuries, but has a chance to play in Brooklyn. The 21-year-old center has struggled to get significant playing time after putting together a solid rookie campaign, averaging 6.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in 20.4 minutes per game. He can’t afford any more downtime. Hopefully the Belgian big man can get back on track, starting on Saturday.
The Pelicans and Nets will collide at the Barclays Center around 5pm ET.
2025-12-06 20:26:00
