Dejounte Murray
February 2026
Dejounte Murray said he feels ready to return from a ruptured Achilles and wants to play despite the Pelicans’ lost season and front-office changes. Murray said he is not looking for excuses and wants to compete for teammates, family, and the city, while also helping rookie Jeremiah Fears. The coach praised his commitment but stopped short of guaranteeing minutes immediately.
Paul George
January 2026
George received a 25-game suspension without pay for violating the NBA/NBPA Anti-Drug Program. The NBA announced the penalty and stated the suspension starts immediately with the 76ers’ next game.
Steven Adams
January 2026
The Rockets announced Adams will miss the rest of the season after left ankle surgery. He suffered the injury against New Orleans and was diagnosed with a Grade 3 sprain; Houston lose a key rebounder and interior presence while already missing Fred VanVleet for the season.
Kevin Durant
January 2026
Durant scored 18 points to move past Nowitzki into sixth on the NBA all-time scoring list, now sitting just behind Michael Jordan. Durant entered needing 17 points, reached the mark, and sealed the milestone with late free throws in a 119-110 win, then credited Nowitzki as a personal idol and rival from earlier in his career.
Jose Alvarado, Mark Williams
December 2025
Jose Alvarado was suspended two games without pay and Mark Williams one game without pay after an altercation in Suns vs Pelicans. Both were ejected after punches were thrown following a foul and shove sequence late in the third quarter. The conflict began with Alvarado committing a defensive foul and Williams responding with a shove, before escalation into a fight that led to technical fouls and ejections. The league assigned suspension dates tied to upcoming Pelicans and Suns fixtures immediately following the incident.
Zion Williamson
December 2025
Zion Williamson returned from a right hip adductor strain to post 18 points off the bench, including seven in the final four minutes, sparking the last-place Pelicans to a 114-104 home win over the Bulls and easing fears after yet another injury-interrupted start to his season. Limited to just under 27 minutes in his first game back after missing five, Williamson leaned on improved summer conditioning, capped his night with a late dunk and admitted rehab “sucks” but is now shorter thanks to better preparation, while James Borrego praised him for working back slightly ahead of schedule.
Derik Queen
December 2025
Pelicans rookie Derik Queen delivered his first NBA triple double with 33 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in only his 25th game, carrying New Orleans back from a twenty point deficit before missing a late go ahead shot in a tight 135-132 defeat to the Spurs. Drafted thirteenth after New Orleans traded consecutive first rounders to Atlanta, Queen bullied defenders inside, finished tough paint looks and created for team mates, earning praise from Alvarado and interim coach Borrego as a rare bright spot amid the Pelicans’ 3-23 start and heavy external criticism of the trade.
Zion Williamson
December 2025
The New Orleans Pelicans ruled out Zion Williamson indefinitely with a grade 2 right hip adductor strain after fresh imaging, another major setback for the former No 1 pick who had already missed significant time this season with a hamstring problem. Coach James Borrego said the team learned of the issue on Tuesday and are taking his recovery day by day, stressing that nobody wants to play more th
Kevon Looney
November 2025
Kevon Looney has reflected on a decade with Golden State during his first return as a Pelican, saying he wants to be remembered as a tough, selfless big man who showed up every night, did the dirty work, never complained and brought a professional mindset to the Warriors’ locker room. The three time champion, who once played nearly 300 straight games, highlighted his willingness to accept any role and focus on rebounding and effort, while Steve Kerr praised his maturity, extra possessions and quiet leadership, admitting Golden State still miss the stability Looney provided on and off the floor.
Zion Williamson
November 2025
Zion Williamson made his comeback for New Orleans with 14 points, six rebounds and five assists in 29 minutes during a 125-118 loss to Denver, offering a vital on-court boost to a Pelicans team that has slumped badly without him. Interim coach James Borrego kept Zion on a managed load in his first game since early November, praising his impact on the team’s spirit and the gravity he created for scorers like rookie Derik Queen, but New Orleans’ 2-13 record underlines how fragile their season remains around his availability.
