Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

New Season, Same Problems: Pelicans’ Injury Curse Strikes Early

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Aleksandar Mishkov | Last updated Aug 29, 2025 3:11 PM ET

Last season, the New Orleans Pelicans had huge expectations. They traded for Dejounte Murray, hoping he would be the final piece to get them over the hump. For starters, make the playoffs and compete, and maybe even go further. However, injuries quickly derailed the New Orleans Pelicans and their season. As a result, they finished with one of the worst records in the league. However, they fell in the NBA draft, winding up with the seventh pick.

This season has yet to begin, and the early signs are that the Pelicans might suffer the same problems.

New Season, Same Problems: Pelicans’ Injury Curse Strikes Early

Just to get an idea of how many injuries derailed the New Orleans Pelicans last season, only two players played more than 60 games: their rookie Yves Missi and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, who averaged less than nine minutes the year before. Of their main guys, Trey Murphy played only 53 games, Brandon Ingram played 18 games before getting traded, CJ McCollum played 56 games, Murray 31, and Zion Williamson 30. In other words, none of their potential starters hit 60 games. The bench was decimated by injuries as well.

Now, it seems that the injury curse will strike earlier this season. The Pelicans have already received bad news about Jose Alvarado. The reserve guard competed in the AmeriCup for Puerto Rico when he suffered a lower back or tailbone injury. He drove hard to the right side of the rim and missed a floater. While battling for the rebound, he fell backwards and was in serious pain, unable to get up off the court on his own. The good news is Alvarado later posted on social media saying that he will be fine. In any case, it was a scary sight for the fans of the franchise.

Apr 11, 2025; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado (15) looks on against Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) during the first half at Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

New Orleans Pelicans Already Lost a Player Due to Injury

Alvarado is just the latest case of a Pelicans player being hit by the injury bug. After the draft, their prized first-round pick, Derik Queen, suffered a wrist injury that left him with a 12-week timetable for recovery. He is probable for the start of the season. But the Pelicans invested so much in him, just to see him miss time before the season. Murray is still recovering from the Achilles injury he suffered last season, and he might not be back until January. All in all, it looks like it might be another season where injuries get the best out of the Pelicans.

Hawks Will Closely Monitor the Situation

The Atlanta Hawks can be the big winner of the Pelicans’ season. Every new injury increases the chance of a lottery pick. Atlanta has a pick swap with the Pelicans. They will get the most favorable of the first round picks in 2026 by the Milwaukee Bucks or New Orleans Pelicans, both of whom may have a tough season. If injuries hit the Pelicans like last year, they might get a top 5-7 pick in the 2026 NBA draft. The Bucks, if things do not go well, might decide to pull the plug on a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade. In any case, the Hawks will closely monitor the situation.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: