The New Orleans Pelicans are gearing up for a strong finish this season, finally seeing a healthier roster as they enter the final stretch. The return of Dejounte Murray from his Achilles injury is a significant boost, and now rookie Micah Peavy is set to rejoin the squad after recovering from a toe sprain. Peavy's return comes just in time for Thursday's matchup against the Utah Jazz.
Peavy's absence over the last four games saw some shifts in the Pelicans' rotation, and it will be intriguing to see how his role evolves. At 24, Peavy's minutes were already decreasing, so his playtime might depend on specific matchups moving forward.
Here’s the current injury report for the Pelicans:
- Trey Alexander (G League two-way) - Out
- Hunter Dickinson (G League two-way) - Out
- Yves Missi (left calf strain) - Out
- Trey Murphy (right shoulder contusion) - Out
The Pelicans are eagerly anticipating the return of Murphy and Missi. While details about Missi’s recovery are sparse, Murphy's comeback appears to be on the horizon.
On the other side, the Utah Jazz seem to be embracing a different strategy. With several key players sidelined or questionable, their lineup is looking thin:
- Jaren Jackson Jr (left knee) - Out
- Walker Kessler (left shoulder) - Out
- Jusuf Nurkic (nose) - Out
- Vince Williams Jr. (left knee) - Out
- Lauri Markkanen (right ankle, right hip) - Questionable
- Keyonte George (right ankle) - Questionable
The Jazz are clearly not prioritizing wins at this stage, and it would be surprising to see Markkanen or George take the court. As the Pelicans aim to capitalize on their improving health, the Jazz seem content to focus on the future.