604 articles found

NOP • Power Forward • #1
about 8 hours ago
While much is made of Williamson’s lackluster three-point production and free-throw percentage in terms of his fantasy value, his limited defensive production has also been an issue in March. That was not the case on Friday, however, as the Pelicans’ forward recorded two blocked shots. In six appearances this month, Williamson has totaled three steals and two blocks. Given his athleticism, there may be some fantasy managers who hoped that some of that ability would translate to the defensive end of the floor. But at the very least, availability has not been a concern for Williamson, as he’s missed one game since mid-December.

NOP • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #5
about 8 hours ago
While the Rockets managed to win the game, they never came up with a suitable answer to Murray defensively. Enjoying his most productive game of the season, the Pelicans’ guard shot 8-of-10 from the field in the first half. Murray shot 6-of-8 in the second half, finishing with his first 30-point game of the season. The Pelicans don’t play again this week, and their four-game Week 21 includes a back-to-back. As a result, Murray managers may have him for three games.

NOP • Power Forward • #1
2 days ago
Williamson has scored at least 19 points in each of his last five appearances, and he has provided reliable top-100 fantasy value since the All-Star break. That may not seem like much, given his ADP, but it represents an improvement when compared to Williamson’s pre-break production. And with Dejounte Murray back in the fold running the point, Zion’s ceiling for the rest of the season has been raised.

NOP • Small Forward • #25
2 days ago
Murphy’s run continues, as he’s providing first-round value in eight-cat formats since the All-Star break. He was highly efficient against the Raptors, with the stat line only lacking a blocked shot. The lone negative for fantasy managers is that New Orleans plays just once more in Week 20, Friday night in Houston.

NOP • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #5
2 days ago
Jayson Tatum isn’t the only player who’s looked good recently since returning from a ruptured Achilles tendon. Murray has improved by the game in New Orleans, and his showing against the Raptors was his best yet. The Pelicans point guard surpassed the 20-point mark for the first time this season, and he also provided solid value in rebounds, assists and steals. The concern for fantasy managers going into the playoff weeks for Yahoo! default leagues: the schedule. New Orleans has a back-to-back in Weeks 21, 22 and 23, which isn’t good for Murray’s availability.

NOP • Shooting Guard • #11
4 days ago
McGowens has a fractured small toe on his right foot, which may keep him out of multiple games. There may be additional minutes for Micah Peavy, but not enough to affect fantasy basketball.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • Power Forward • #1
5 days ago
Williamson had 20 points on just eight attempts from the field, but only two rebounds and one assist. It didn’t help that he only played 23 minutes as the Pelicans ran away with the victory. While the Pelicans only have two games upcoming in Week 20, the good news is Williamson should be available for both contests given the amount of off-days.

NOP • Small Forward • #25
5 days ago
Murphy had another excellent game. The 25-year-old small forward led the Pelicans with 24 points on their way to a 20-point victory. The lone negative was that he exited with an upper back injury, but the Pelicans forward was on the bench with his teammates after having ice applied to the area. Since the start of February, Murphy has averaged 24.1 points and 4.7 assists. He’s also shooting 49 percent from the field and 48 percent from the three-point line in that time. The Pelicans have two games upcoming in Week 20, starting with a matchup against the Raptors on Wednesday.
Source: Rod Walker

NOP • Small Forward • #25
7 days ago
Murphy has 64 points and 11 three-pointers in three games so far this week. The 25-year-old small forward led the Pelicans with 22 points and four three-pointers in Friday’s loss to the Suns. Murphy also had an impact on the defensive end with two steals and a block. He’s provided third-round per game value over the last two weeks. The Pelicans close out the week against the Wizards on Sunday.

NOP • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #5
7 days ago
Murray is back after sitting out Thursday’s win over the Kings. His return pushes Yves Missi to the bench, with the Pelicans beginning Friday’s game without a true center.
Source: NBA Lineups

NOP • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #5
8 days ago
Murray sat out Thursday for the first leg of the Pelicans’ back-to-back set, but he’ll be back in action against Phoenix and should handle a normal workload. Jeremiah Fears’ fantasy appeal takes a hit as a result of Murray’s availability.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • Point Guard • #
8 days ago
Fears’ six assists, which equalled his total from New Orleans’ prior two games, were the most for him since hitting that number in a February 21 win over the 76ers. The rookie guard played 28 minutes on Thursday, with his playing time receiving a slight boost due to Dejounte Murray (Achilles) being sidelined. With Murray likely playing on Friday in Phoenix, Fears will have a lower fantasy ceiling for New Orleans’ penultimate game of Week 19.
NOP • Center • #
8 days ago
While Yves Missi (7/2/1/2/4 in 16 minutes) received the starting nod on Thursday, Queen and Karlo Matković (9/9/2 with three blocks and one three-pointer) wound up playing more. In Queen’s case, a near double-double was accompanied by five assists in a solid offensive performance for the rookie. However, lapses in attention remain an issue on the defensive end of the floor, which will limit Queen’s playing time until he addresses them.

NOP • Small Forward • #14
8 days ago
Bey did not provide the most robust stat line in Sacramento, but he continues to put up the points. In the midst of the most productive season of his NBA career, the Pelicans forward has scored at least 20 points in 22 of the 57 games he’s appeared in. Rostered in 45 percent of Yahoo! leagues, Bey has the potential to be a league-winner where he is still on the waiver wire, especially in points leagues.

NOP • Small Forward • #25
8 days ago
Since returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for five games, Murphy has averaged 19.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 3.7 three-pointers while shooting 45.5 percent from the field. The Pelicans play two more games in Week 19, starting with Friday’s matchup with the Suns, and it isn’t guaranteed that Murphy will be available for both. If he sits on Friday, that spot in the lineup could go to Dejounte Murray (Achilles) after he was given Thursday night off.

NOP • Power Forward • #1
8 days ago
After putting up 24 points in his return to action on Tuesday against the Lakers, Zion dropped another 23 on the Kings. And he was efficient, shooting better than 70 percent from the field. Add in the rebounds and assists, and Thursday was an excellent night for those who have Zion rostered. The Pelicans are in Phoenix on Friday, and it remains to be seen if Williamson will be available. Back-to-backs weren’t an issue before his most recent ankle injury, so he may be able to play.

NOP • Center • #21
8 days ago
Murphy and Williamson are good to go for Thursday’s game, but the Pelicans won’t have Dejounte Murray for the first of two games they’ll play in as many nights. He’s been replaced in the lineup by Yves Missi, which raises the second-year center’s short-term fantasy value.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans

NOP • Power Forward • #1
8 days ago
Zion was questionable for this game, but he will be good to go against Sacramento. He had 24 points against the Lakers on Thursday and will look to stay hot against a porous Kings defense.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • Small Forward • #25
8 days ago
Murphy was upgraded from questionable to probable on Thursday afternoon, a sign that he was on track to play. He’ll occupy his usual place in the starting lineup, with Bryce McGowens continuing to come off the bench.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • Small Forward • #25
9 days ago
The late upgrade is good news for Murphy III, who returned earlier this week after missing five games with a shoulder injury. There was some thought that the Pelicans would hold the 25-year-old out against a tanking Kings team, but that doesn’t appear to be the case. As a result, Murphy III is in a great spot for fantasy production.

NOP • Power Forward • #1
9 days ago
Williamson’s right ankle sprain has him back on the injury report after logging 33 minutes in Tuesday’s loss to the Lakers. With the Pelicans facing the Suns the following night, it’s possible that Williamson sits out one of the next two games. With Dejounte Murray (Achilles) also out, DeAndre Jordan and Bryce McGowens may move up in the rotation.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #5
9 days ago
Murray will sit out Thursday’s game for injury management reasons, opening up a spot in the starting lineup. The Pelicans could go back to DeAndre Jordan, who moved into the starting lineup a few games before Murray made his season debut.
Source: NBA Injury Report

NOP • Small Forward • #25
9 days ago
Murphy, who recently returned to action after missing five games with a right shoulder contusion, is dealing with neck spasms. If he’s unable to play against the Kings, the Pelicans could look to Bryce McGowens to fill the void in the starting lineup.
Source: NBA Injury Report
NOP • • #
10 days ago
The center went undrafted in 2024 after spending four seasons at George Mason and one at Providence. He has been playing for the Birmingham Squadron, the Pelicans’ G League affiliate, in the two years since. Oduro has averaged 15.3 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.3 blocks per game this season and will join a crowded center room that includes Derik Queen, DeAndre Jordan, Karlo Matkovic and Kevon Looney, though none of them started in the Pelicans’ most recent game. This is a great opportunity for Oduro, but don’t expect him to be worth scooping up off the waiver wire.
Source: Shams Charania

NOP • Power Forward • #1
10 days ago
Following a one-game absence with an ankle injury, which came after playing in 35 straight games, Williamson returned to take on Los Angeles. Excluding the game he exited early with the ankle injury, Zion has scored at least 20 points in six straight games. They have a back-to-back on Thursday and Friday, and while Williamson had been playing in back-to-backs, there is a chance he sits out as he manages this ankle injury. If he does, he’ll likely sit against the Kings on Thursday and play against the Suns on Friday.

NOP • Small Forward • #25
10 days ago
This was Murphy’s second game back after missing five games with a shoulder injury. He scored 16 points in the first one, but he was more effective in this outing. Murphy has been excellent this season, but this two-game stretch hasn’t been his best. They have a back-to-back coming up on Thursday and Friday, but since it wasn’t a lower body injury, Murphy should be fine to suit up for both games.

NOP • Point Guard and Shooting Guard • #5
10 days ago
Though Murray wasn’t able to get much going as a scorer in this game, he was able to stuff the stat sheet in a way that not many can. He also set a new season high for minutes, which is great to see after such a lengthy absence. Murray should be considered a must-roster player at this point, though that doesn’t mean he’ll play in back-to-backs. They play the Kings and Suns on Thursday and Friday, so expect him to be available for the more difficult matchup in Phoenix.

NOP • Power Forward • #1
10 days ago
With Williamson returning to action after a one-game absence, the Pelicans will begin Tuesday’s contest without a legitimate center. DeAndre Jordan heads to the bench, while Saddiq Bey continues to start. Given how well Bey has played this season, it would have been extremely difficult to remove him from the starting five.
Source: NBA Lineups

NOP • Power Forward • #1
10 days ago
Williamson will be back after missing just one game with an ankle injury. Trey Murphy returned to the lineup in that game and filled Zion’s starting spot. That likely means one of Saddiq Bey or Herb Jones will be pushed to a bench role, though both will still play significant minutes.
Source: New Orleans Pelicans

NOP • Power Forward • #1
11 days ago
Williamson was held out of Sunday’s loss to the Clippers, the first game that he’s missed since December 11. If he’s able to play on Tuesday, Williamson may push Saddiq Bey out of the starting lineup. Bey will still play plenty, so those who have him rostered should not be too concerned.
Source: Will Guillory