Pelicans finally get some good injury news

In what is seemingly the first good bit of injury news the Pelicans have had all season, rookie center Yves Missi has been upgraded from questionable to available for Friday’s contest at Dallas, the team announced.

The 21st overall pick of the 2024 draft, Missi suffered a hyperextended right knee last Thursday against Sacramento, which caused him to miss the Rising Stars event at All-Star weekend. However, he’s returning in New Orleans’ first game back after the break, so he may not end up missing any regular-season contests as a result of the injury.

Missi has emerged as the starting center for a Pelicans team that lacked depth in the middle entering the season, averaging 27.1 minutes per night and starting in 46 of his 52 total appearances.

The 20-year-old big man has averaged 8.5 points, 8.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per contest so far in 2024-25 as he makes a bid for All-Rookie recognition.