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NEW ORLEANS — New Orleans Pelicans center Yves Missi was reevaluated Thursday and cleared to resume on-court activities, the team announced, according to The Athletic’s Will Guillory. Missi has missed the last 10 games with a bone bruise in his left knee.
The clearance is for on-court activities. It is not a clearance to play in games, and the update did not include a return date. Guillory noted that it is still unclear when Missi will be cleared to get back in the lineup.
Yves Missi’s Left Knee Injury
Missi was hurt Oct. 23 in a 120-119 loss at Utah, the second game of the season. With 6:30 left in the second quarter, Zion Williamson fell into Missi’s left leg after his drive was blocked. Missi did not appear able to put weight on the leg and was carried off the court.
The Pelicans have listed him on the league injury report with a left knee contusion and bone bruise. Before the injury, Missi started both games and averaged 9.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists while making 8 of 9 shots. In the opener against Indiana, he had 13 points, 5 assists, and 3 blocks.
New Orleans took Missi with the 21st overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. He averaged 9.1 points and 8.2 rebounds in 73 games as a rookie and earned All-Rookie honors. Last season, he averaged 5.7 points and 5.8 rebounds in 66 games, 14 of them starts.
Pelicans Without Missi
New Orleans is 4-6 in the 10 games Missi has missed. The Pelicans are 4-8 overall after a 145-111 home loss to the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday, their fourth straight defeat. They have allowed at least 138 points in three straight games, including a 138-87 loss at Golden State on Monday.
Karlo Matković started seven of New Orleans’ first 11 games, including Monday’s game at Golden State. Derik Queen came off the bench in all 11 of those games and averaged 12.5 points and 6.9 rebounds.
The Pelicans host the Memphis Grizzlies in an NBA Cup game Friday at 7 p.m. CT, then host the Denver Nuggets on Saturday at 6 p.m. CT.
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