Pelicans forward Herbert Jones has been diagnosed with a mild right calf strain, the team announced today (via Twitter).
According to the Pelicans, Jones will be reevaluated in approximately one week. That timeline suggests he’ll be sidelined for upcoming games against Chicago (Monday), Memphis (Wednesday), Golden State (Saturday), and the Lakers (Sunday), and could remain on the shelf beyond that.
Jones, an All-Defensive first-teamer in 2023/24, was limited to just 20 appearances last season due to a shoulder injury, but got healthy in time for the start of the ’25/26 campaign. He was in the Pelicans’ starting lineup for their first 16 games, averaging 9.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.4 steals in 30.3 minutes per contest, with a .390/.362/.739 shooting line.
Saddiq Bey, who previously stepped into New Orleans’ starting five when Zion Williamson was out with a hamstring strain, is a candidate to take Jones’ spot in the lineup. Rookie Micah Peavy should also play an increased role — with Jones and Williamson both inactive on Saturday vs. Atlanta, Peavy made his first career start and logged a personal-high 27 minutes.
The Pelicans also shared a more positive injury update, announcing that guard Jordan Poole has been cleared to resume on-court basketball activities. Poole has missed the past 10 games due to a mild quad strain.
The Pelicans didn’t provide a specific timeline for Poole’s return, simply stating that his return to play progression will be “updated appropriately.” However, barring a setback, Poole shouldn’t require a lengthy ramp-up period, so could be back in the relatively near future.
In his first seven games with New Orleans this fall, Poole averaged 17.3 points, 3.4 assists, and 1.7 rebounds in 30.3 minutes per night, shooting just 35.4% from the floor (33.9% on three-pointers).