35 articles
NOP • C • #21
about 23 hours ago
Missi will be back in action following a three-game absence, though it’s unclear if he’ll immediately reclaim his starting gig. New Orleans’ frontcourt rotation is messy, with all of Kevon Looney, Karlo Matkovic and Derik Queen vying for minutes in the wake of Zion Williamson’s hamstring injury.
Source: Jim Eichenhofer
NOP • C • #21
2 days ago
Missi could return following a three-game absence, and his availability could mean fewer minutes for Karlo Matković and Kevon Looney. With Zion Williamson (hamstring) out at least a week, rookie Derik Queen still carries some fantasy appeal.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • C • #21
4 days ago
Missi will miss a third straight game, which means more playing time for Kevon Looney, Karlo Matkovic and rookie Derik Queen. Queen offers the highest upside of the trio, though New Orleans’ platoon approach at center lowers his fantasy appeal.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • C • #21
6 days ago
This will be a second straight absence for Missi. Kevon Looney played 15 minutes as a starter on Tuesday, while Derik Queen played 18 minutes off the bench and Karlo Matkovic played 15 minutes. Clearly, there isn’t a major beneficiary from Missi’s absence, though Queen did the most with his minutes. Perhaps he can take on a larger role against Dallas.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • C • #21
7 days ago
Missi, who was initially questionable, will miss his second game of the season. However, while the Pelicans went small for their October 24 loss to the Spurs, inserting Saddiq Bey into the lineup, that was with a healthy Zion Williamson. Williamson (hamstring) won’t be available on Tuesday, potentially resulting in a spot start for DeAndre Jordan and Derik Queen.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • C • #21
8 days ago
Missi has started the last two games for the Pelicans, so if he isn’t able to play through the illness, that spot would be open. Kevon Looney would likely fill the void, with Derik Queen and DeAndre Jordan taking on extra minutes off the bench.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • C • #21
11 days ago
Pelicans head coach Willie Green’s experiment of starting DeAndre Jordan at center lasted all of one game. The veteran center heads to the bench, with Missi returning to the starting lineup. While he offers limited fantasy upside, Missi has a better chance of achieving some semblance of relevance when he can start.
Source: Will Guillory
NOP • C • #21
15 days ago
Missi is back after a one-game absence, while Matković did not play in either of the Pelicans’ first two contests. With the former sidelined for Friday’s loss to the Spurs, New Orleans went small, with Saddiq Bey moving into the starting lineup. Bey could remain a starter, but only if Zion Williamson (foot) cannot play. Matković’s absence will not impact fantasy basketball.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans
NOP • C • #21
16 days ago
While Missi was injured during the Pelicans’ season opener on Wednesday, Matković also missed time during the preseason with his injury. While neither has been given a concrete return timeline, participating in Sunday’s practice without issue is a step in the right direction. The Pelicans, who host the Celtics on Monday, signed DeAndre Jordan to a one-year deal on Friday to help address the frontcourt injury issues.
Source: Will Guillory
NOP • C • #21
18 days ago
Missi started the Pelicans’ season opener against the Grizzlies on Wednesday, playing 23 minutes and scoring five points while grabbing seven rebounds. Matkovic missed Wednesday’s game and is out again Friday with a back injury. Derik Queen played 15 minutes off the bench in the opener, putting up three points and five rebounds. The Pelicans also signed DeAndre Jordan Friday morning, making this a clear situation to avoid for fantasy managers.
NOP • C • #21
19 days ago
That seems like good news considering the second-year center sprained his right ankle during he fourth quarter of last night’s loss to the Grizzlies. Missi will be listed as questionable for tomorrow’s game vs San Antonio, but it doesn’t sound like he will be sidelined for too long. Both Derik Queen and Hunter Dickinson could see an uptick in minutes in the short-term.
Source: Will Guillory
NOP • C • #21
20 days ago
Missi didn’t have a productive night, and things worsened during the fourth quarter. The second-year center sprained his right ankle on a layup attempt and had to exit. While Hunter Dickinson (two points and one blocked shot) played five minutes during the first half, he did not see any action after halftime. Rookie Derik Queen (wrist) played 15 minutes in his debut, putting up three points, five rebounds and one blocked shot. New Orleans went small for stretches, which they may do more often if Missi has to miss time.
NOP • C • #21
28 days ago
The starting center spot in New Orleans is still up for grabs, and Missi made a strong case with his performance in this game. His competition for the starting job is with Kevon Looney, who didn’t play in this one. Missi is the better fantasy option, but Looney may be the best fit for this team. We’ll see which one they roll with, but if it’s Looney, his fantasy upside will be limited.
NOP • C • #21
28 days ago
Coach Willie Green still hasn’t decided who will be the starting center this season, and Missi will get the nod over Kevon Looney for this exhibition. The other four starters should be part of the opening night lineup, but Missi and Looney’s competition is worth keeping an eye on. This is New Orleans’ first preseason game against another NBA team, with a matchup with the Magic coming up on Thursday.
Source: Will Guillory
NOP • C • #21
about 1 month ago
While second-year center Yves Missi spent most of last season as the starter, he isn’t guaranteed to take on that role in 2025-26. In addition to trading up to draft the currently injured Derik Queen (wrist) in June’s draft, the Pelicans signed veteran Kevon Looney in free agency. Looney started both of the team’s exhibition games in Australia, but Missi played more minutes. And Green has some non-negotiables when it comes to who will earn the right to start come opening night. “Who goes out and competes the hardest? Who gives us the opportunity to start games well?” Green said Thursday. “For all of our bigs, that’s the non-negotiables for us. Time will tell. We’ve got two more games, then we’ll go from there.” Until Queen is cleared to resume full contact, Missi is the option who possesses the highest fantasy upside among the healthy Pelicans.
Source: Pelicans Film Room
NOP • C • #21
about 1 month ago
After starting 67 of the 73 games he played as a rookie, Missi came off the bench in Friday’s preseason opener with Kevon Looney getting the start. Is this something that would hold once the regular season begins? If so, that would be an issue for fantasy managers considering Missi, especially with the Pelicans trading up to draft Derik Queen in June’s draft. Missi did play more minutes than Looney (three points, three rebounds, two assists and one blocked shot) on Friday, logging 20 minutes to the veteran’s 18. But this is something to watch throughout the preseason, and Queen’s eventual full return from wrist surgery will be another variable in the competition for rotation minutes.
NOP • C • #21
3 months ago
Cameroon, which needed a win over the Democratic Republic of Congo to advance to the knockout rounds, sealed its place in the FIBA AfroBasket semifinals with a commanding victory over Egypt. Missi had a good afternoon, shooting over 50 percent from the field and mixing in a few assists with his usual rebounds and blocked shots. As a rookie, the 6-foot-11 center made 67 starts for the Pelicans. Injuries throughout the roster limited Missi’s fantasy value last season, but he can be a helpful piece in 2025-26 due to the rebounds and blocked shots. While New Orleans did add Kevon Looney and Derik Queen to the roster this offseason, the latter may not be ready for the upcoming season after undergoing wrist surgery in July.
NOP • C • #21
4 months ago
Missi has generally looked really good this summer, but Tuesday was a rough one. He simply couldn’t buy a bucket. He was fine on the glass and blocked some shots, but 1-of-11 from the floor is unacceptable for a second-year player that shoots all of his shots at the rim. It’s unclear if he’ll continue to suit up this summer, but he likely won’t have many performances like this during the regular season.
NOP • C • #21
4 months ago
Missi did not offer much value as a scorer on Saturday, and it was an unsurprising development given his skill set. However, he was once again productive as a rebounder and rim protector. Those are the areas in which Missi will be most valuable, as New Orleans should have enough scorers as long as everyone remains healthy. Under those circumstances, Missi can take on a role similar to that of Mitchell Robinson with the Knicks, which can be a valuable role from a fantasy standpoint.
NOP • C • #21
4 months ago
Having made 67 starts as a rookie, Missi is the most experienced player on New Orleans’ summer league roster. He finished last season with 26 games of 10 rebounds or more, including five of his last six. With the Pelicans selecting Derik Queen, who started alongside Missi on Thursday, in last month’s draft and signing Kevon Looney in free agency, Missi will face more competition for his job than he did last season. However, he has the athleticism and rebounding ability to maintain his place atop the depth chart.
NOP • C • #21
7 months ago
Missi and Matkovic’s rookie seasons will end in disappointment as they’ve been ruled out for Sunday’s finale. Missi finished his debut season ranked just inside the top-200 in eight- and nine-cat formats, claiming the starting center job for good in early November. Matkovic’s climb into the Pelicans’ rotation took longer, but he would finish just inside the top-200 in nine-cat formats. Missi offers a higher ceiling as the first-round pick, but neither is a must-draft player, especially if the Pelicans add a veteran center via trade or free agency.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • C • #21
7 months ago
Missi extended his streak of games with at least 10 rebounds to five on Sunday, and he has recorded three double-doubles during this stretch. For fantasy managers whose leagues ended with Week 22, the seven-foot rookie finished strong, providing top-100 value in nine-cat formats over the past two weeks. The Pelicans begin a four-game Week 23 in Brooklyn on Tuesday, and Missi is worth rostering since his place in the starting lineup is secure.
NOP • C • #21
7 months ago
Missi’s 13 points were more than he had in any of his last three games. His 11 rebounds, however, gave him four consecutive games with at least 10 rebounds. The 20-year-old center isn’t a prolific scorer, but can clearly man the boards for fantasy managers looking for rebounds. Missi is also a defensive presence as he contributed one steal and one block against the Lakers. He’ll be back on the court as the Pelicans take on the Bucks Sunday.
NOP • C • #21
7 months ago
Missi did not provide much value as a scorer on Wednesday, shooting 3-of-8 from the field. However, the areas where fantasy managers have come to expect solid value are where he was most productive. He’s reached double digits in rebounds in three straight and four of his last five appearances, and the three rejections were the most in a game for the rookie since March 19. Missi’s fantasy value has been low recently, as he’s ranked outside the top 200 over the past two weeks. However, he’s worth targeting for category league managers seeking rebounds and blocked shots, as the Pelicans have two more games on their Week 22 schedule.
NOP • C • #21
8 months ago
Missi has grabbed 10 rebounds in three of his last five outings, recording two double-doubles. However, providing value in three categories, points, rebounds and blocked shots, limits the rookie center’s fantasy ceiling. Over the past two weeks, Missi has been ranked outside the top 150 in eight- and nine-cat formats. At this point, he is essentially a specialist for managers needing production in specific categories, with Kelly Olynyk (6/6/2/2) being the superior option despite playing poorly against the Warriors. The Pelicans host the Hornets on Sunday in their final game of Week 21.
NOP • C • #21
8 months ago
Missi is back after sitting out Sunday’s loss to the Pistons. His return means Karlo Matkovic will head to the bench, which limits his fantasy value.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans
NOP • C • #21
8 months ago
Missi sat out Sunday’s game against the Pistons with a hip injury and has a legitimate chance to miss Monday’s matchup with the 76ers given his questionable listing. Karlo Matkovic would start and be an option in deep leagues if Missi is out again.
Source: Pelicans
NOP • C • #21
8 months ago
Missi and Alvarado are questionable for Sunday’s game after starting Friday’s loss to the Timberwolves. Karlo Matkovic will have more playing time if the former is forced to sit, while Jordan Hawkins may be asked to start if Alvarado cannot play. Matkovic and Hawkins are not locks to provide reliable value when allowed to start, but they’d be worth a roll of the dice in deep leagues.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • C • #21
8 months ago
Without Zion Williamson, the Pelicans were no match for the Timberwolves Friday as they lost by 41 points. Missi was -31 in 28 minutes only because he tied CJ McCollum for the most minutes on New Orleans. The good news is the 20-year-old center was able to play that many minutes in his third game back from an ankle injury. The bad news is he didn’t score very much in garbage time. New Orleans will finish up the week with a game against the Pistons Sunday.
NOP • C • #21
8 months ago
After missing New Orleans’ last two games with a left ankle sprain, Missi returned to the lineup on Monday. That allowed him to record his first double-double since February despite the blowout loss. Missi only played 22 minutes in this game, which made his productive night even more impressive. Missi has been a difficult player to trust in fantasy basketball, but he is more than capable of having productive nights such as this. New Orleans has two matchups with Minnesota up next before they wrap up the week with a rematch in Detroit.