New Orleans Pelicans Lose Two Key Rotation Players For "Multiple Weeks"

 

The injury bug continues to haunt the New Orleans Pelicans this season. Already playing without their top player, Zion Williamson, for what's been an extended period, they've now announced that two more key rotation pieces will be out for multiple weeks.

Injury updates:

Zion Williamson will get imaging this week on his hamstring.

Jose Alvarado has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right tibia. He'll be re-evaluated in three weeks.

Larry Nance Jr. will be re-evaluated in two weeks as he recovers from an ankle sprain.

— Will Guillory (@WillGuillory) February 28, 2023

Backup point guard Jose Alvarado has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his right tibia. The team says he'll be re-evaluated in three weeks and his return to play timeline will be updated at that point. 

Alvarado has been averaging 9.0 points and 3.0 assists in 21 minutes per game this season, having played in all 61 games. 

Backup center Larry Nance Jr. is out with an ankle sprain suffered in a game this past Saturday. He'll miss at least six games, and will be re-evaluated in two weeks. 

The Pelicans are currently in 10th spot in the West, the final play-in slot, but in a virtual tie with the Portland Trail Blazers, who have played two less games than the Pels. 

Zion's return, hopefully within the next couple of weeks, would go a long way to helping this team have a realistic shot at the playoffs. He'll have more imaging this week on his hamstring.

Photo; Andrew Wevers-USA TODAY Sports