The New Orleans Pelicans host the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday evening at the Smoothie King Center.
The Pelicans play at home before embarking on a road trip that has them away from home for four of the next five games. Meanwhile, the Hornets have the second-worst road record in the league heading into Sunday's matchup.
New Orleans hopes to end this year without any further injury and prepare for the NBA Draft. The Pelicans have used 41 different lineups this season because of all the injuries on the roster. Both teams released their injury report for Sunday's game in New Orleans.
Jordan Hawkins, Kelly Olynyk questionable vs. Charlotte on Sunday#Pelicans | @MorrisBartLLC https://t.co/BoMK3T6r8g
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 29, 2025
The big name on the report for New Orleans is Zion Williamson, who will miss his fifth straight game because of back soreness. Williamson has played just 30 games this season after playing a career-high 70 games last year. The Pelicans have struggled the entire year without their star in the lineup, winning just ten games when the two-time all-star doesn't play.
Joining Williamson on the list is starting guard CJ McCollum (foot), Herb Jones (shoulder), Trey Murphy III (shoulder), and Brandon Boston (ankle). In addition to the players out, the Pelicans list Jordan Hawkins (ankle) and Kelly Olynyk (Achilles) as questionable to play on Sunday.
to nobody's surprise:
Elfrid Payton has another 10 assist night pic.twitter.com/D6Y8pZU7wm
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) March 29, 2025
Charlotte will be without star guard LaMelo Ball for the remainder of the season with a right ankle injury. Grant Williams (ACL), Mark Williams (foot), Brandon Miller (wrist), Josh Green (shoulder), Seth Curry (knee), Tre Mann (disc), and Damion Baugh (G League) are all out. Hornets guard Josh Okogie (hamstring) is probable to play against the Pelicans.
Tip-off for Sunday's game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CST.
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