After exiting Thursday’s overtime victory over Sacramento due to a knee injury, Pelicans center Yves Missi has been diagnosed with a right knee hyperextension, the team announced today (via Twitter).
An MRI showed no structural damage in the knee, according to the Pelicans, who say that the rookie big man will help reevaluated at some point next week, with more details to come at that time.
The 21st overall pick in the 2024 draft, Missi has been a bright spot in a season to forget in New Orleans. The 20-year-old has emerged as the starting center for a Pelicans team that lacked depth in the middle entering the season, averaging 27.1 minutes per night and starting in 46 of his 52 total appearances.
Missi has averaged 8.5 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per contest so far in 2024/25 as he makes a bid for All-Rookie recognition.
Missi had been selected to participate in the Rising Stars event at All-Star weekend, so the NBA announced on Friday (via Twitter) that Bulls forward Matas Buzelis has been named his replacement. Buzelis was already headed to San Francisco to participate in Saturday’s dunk contest, making him a logical choice to take part in Friday’s mini-tournament as well.
While Buzelis’ full-season averages of 6.4 points and 2.8 rebounds per game are modest, he has earned an increased rotation role as of late, scoring double-digit points in each of his past eight games and putting up 14.1 PPG on .597/.424/.765 shooting during that stretch.
Buzelis will compete on Friday for the Rising Stars team drafted by former NBA star Mitch Richmond, joining Julian Strawther as the second injury replacement on the roster. The seven-player squad also features the Thompson twins (Amen Thompson and Ausar Thompson), Wizards teammates Carlton Carrington and Bilal Coulibaly, and Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara.
The rosters for the four-team event can be viewed here.