The Pelicans may be getting a needed body back in the middle on Saturday night.
New Orleans listed center Yves Missi as probable on its latest injury report for the matchup with the Denver Nuggets, a sign the 22-year-old could return after missing time with a left knee contusion and bone bruise. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.
Missi has been out since New Orleans’ 120-119 loss to the Utah Jazz on Oct. 23. He played only nine minutes in that game before leaving with the injury, finishing with six points, one rebound and one block while going 3-for-3 from the floor.
In his two appearances this season, Missi has put up 9.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, two blocks and one steal per game while shooting 88.9% from the field and 75% from the free-throw line in 19.5 minutes a night.
His return would come at a useful moment for a Pelicans team trying to stop a five-game slide. New Orleans is coming off a rough 142-111 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in Friday night’s NBA Cup game, and the defense has been leaking badly. The Pelicans have given up at least 135 points in three straight games, including Wednesday’s 145-111 defeat to the Brooklyn Nets.
Even if Missi is back, the injury list remains a problem for New Orleans. The Pelicans will still be without several key players, including Murphy and Murray. Murray’s absence also comes with added uncertainty after the veteran guard requested a trade Friday.
That leaves New Orleans leaning heavily on the rest of its available group against Denver. Missi’s presence inside would at least give the Pelicans another frontcourt option as they try to steady things and pick up their fifth win of the season.
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