The training room in New Orleans must have a revolving door that’s stuck on "open." Honestly, being a fan of this team lately feels like a masterclass in patience and medical terminology. If you’ve been checking the new orleans pelicans injury report every morning hoping for a miracle, you know the vibe. It is January 2026, and the Pelicans are currently slogging through a season that looks more like a hospital ward than a basketball campaign.
The big names are there. Or rather, they aren't.
The Dejounte Murray Mystery and the Achilles Gap
Look, we have to talk about Dejounte Murray first because it’s the most glaring void on the floor. He hasn't suited up for a single game this season. After that brutal Achilles rupture back in late January 2025, the hope was for a mid-season return this year. Instead, we’re sitting here in 2026, and Murray is still listed as out. There is no concrete timetable. No "he’s doing 3-on-3 work." Just... out. It’s a massive blow for a team that desperately needs his point-of-attack defense and veteran poise.
The impact of his absence is basically a domino effect. Without Murray, the playmaking burden has fallen onto the young shoulders of Jeremiah Fears. While Fears has shown flashes—seriously, the kid has heart—asking a rookie to run the show for 35 minutes a night against the likes of Tyrese Haliburton or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a tall order.
The Current New Orleans Pelicans Injury Report: Who's Actually Out?
Right now, the list is long enough to make interim coach James Borrego lose sleep. As of the latest update for the mid-January stretch, including the recent clash with the Pacers, here is the status of the rotation:
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- Dejounte Murray (Right Achilles): Out. Still in the "recovery and reconditioning" phase. No return date in sight.
- Herb Jones (Right Ankle): Out. This one is frustrating. Borrego called him "day-to-day" earlier this week, but he’s missed six straight. He tried to come back against the Lakers on January 6, played 35 minutes, and then immediately went back on the shelf. That’s a bad sign.
- Jose Alvarado (Left Oblique): Out. Borrego has him on a two-week timeline. He’s been sidelined since that same Lakers game.
- Hunter Dickinson: Out. Currently on G League assignment.
The Herb Jones "Day-to-Day" Trap
Is Herb Jones actually day-to-day? That’s the question everyone is asking on Twitter. When a guy is labeled day-to-day but misses two weeks, it usually means the team is being extra cautious because they’re at the bottom of the standings. The Pelicans are currently 10-33. In that context, rushing your best defender back from an ankle sprain makes zero sense.
If you're looking for a silver lining, Saddiq Bey is back. He missed six games with a hip flexor strain but has returned to the starting lineup. It’s a small win, but in a season like this, you take what you can get.
Zion Williamson and the Load Management Dance
The good news? Zion is actually playing. He put up 31 points recently against the Wizards and has been looking like the dominant force we expect when he's healthy. But let’s be real—the Pelicans are treating him like fine china. He hasn't been playing both ends of back-to-backs consistently, and there’s always that collective holding of breath whenever he hits the floor after a layup.
There was a scare earlier in the month with a non-COVID illness that spread through the locker room, hitting both Zion and Yves Missi. Thankfully, that seems to be in the rearview mirror. The bigger concern is the sheer volume of minutes he has to play because the rest of the roster is decimated.
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Why the Bench is Stepping Up
With Alvarado and Murray out, Jordan Hawkins and Bryce McGowens have been forced into the fire. Hawkins, in particular, has seen his usage rate skyrocket. Is he ready? Sometimes. The shooting is there, but the defensive lapses are exactly what you’d expect from a young guard forced into a starting-caliber role before his time.
Then there’s Derik Queen. The rookie center has been a bright spot, recently notching a triple-double. It’s weird to say, but the injuries might be the best thing that ever happened to Queen’s development. He’s getting reps he never would have seen if the team were healthy and fighting for a top-four seed.
What This Means for the Trade Deadline
The February 5 deadline is looming like a dark cloud. With the new orleans pelicans injury report constantly filled with names like Alvarado and Jones, the front office has some soul-searching to do.
Do you trade Alvarado while he’s injured to a contender looking for a spark plug? Do you finally move on from the Zion era if the right haul of picks comes along? Rumors are swirling that the Pelicans are "clearer than ever" on needing a roster reset. It’s a tough pill to swallow for a fan base that was promised a deep playoff run when they traded for Murray.
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Navigating the Rest of January
The schedule doesn't get any easier. The Pelicans are currently on a road-heavy stretch, and without their defensive anchor in Herb Jones, they are hemorrhaging points in the paint. If you're betting on these games or just trying to manage your fantasy roster, keep a very close eye on the 2:00 PM ET injury updates. This team is notorious for late scratches.
If Herb Jones isn't back by the end of the month, expect the Pelicans to lean even harder into the "development" phase. That means more Jeremiah Fears, more Derik Queen, and potentially a very quiet return for Dejounte Murray whenever he's finally cleared—if he's cleared at all before the season ends.
Next Steps for Fans and Analysts:
- Monitor the 24-hour window: The Pelicans have been ruling players out a full day in advance lately, which is a departure from their usual "gametime decision" smoke and mirrors.
- Watch the G League call-ups: If Karlo Matkovic or Hunter Dickinson get recalled suddenly, it usually signals a setback for one of the big men.
- Check the trade wire: With the team sitting at the bottom of the West, any player not named Zion or Trey Murphy III could be on the move as the deadline approaches.