Pelicans Release New Injury Update On 2 Key Players

New Orleans Pelicans role players Jose Alvarado and Larry Nance Jr. both dealt with injuries over the NBA offseason. Nance Jr. recently received an injection in his left ankle for an injury that caused him to miss the play-in tournament last spring. Meanwhile, Alvarado sprained his ankle during an offseason workout.

On Sep. 28, the Pelicans announced that Alvarado and Nance Jr. would miss some time with their injuries. However, they were expected to be ready for the start of the season. 

On NBA Media Day, Pelicans general manager Trajan Langdon doubled down on the announcement. According to Will Guillory of The Athletic, Langdon remains hopeful that Alvarado and Nance Jr. will be available when the regular season begins.

Alvarado showed tremendous improvement during the 2022-23 campaign. The undrafted point guard continued to wear his heart on his sleeve, averaging nine points and three assists in 21.5 minutes per game. 

NBA INJURY NEWS & RUMORS: Larry Nance Jr, Jose Alverado & New Orleans Pelicans Updates

Across 10 spot starts, Alvarado averaged 11.2 points and 4.4 assists while going 6-4 overall. The pesky Georgia Tech product plays a huge role for New Orleans as one of the team’s grittiest perimeter defenders. He brings invaluable energy to the second unit, and his playmaking upside helped New Orleans finish top six in bench assists last season.

Nance Jr. also brings a key defensive presence to NOLA, thanks to his 7-foot-2 wingspan and jump-out-the-gym athleticism. The son of NBA legend Larry Nance, who famously won the first-ever Slam Dunk Contest in 1984, is coming off of his most efficient season ever.

NBA INJURY NEWS & RUMORS: Larry Nance Jr, Jose Alverado & New Orleans Pelicans Updates

Nance Jr. shot a blistering 61% from the field across 65 contests, averaging 6.8 points and 5.4 rebounds. Per 36 minutes, he grabbed 2.8 offensive boards a night. Nance Jr. is as solid as it gets for a backup big. In his lone 2023 start, the 30-year-old posted 10 points and nine rebounds in 20 minutes during a 32-point blowout of the Sacramento Kings.

While Alvarado and Nance Jr. are missing training camp, they still have three weeks to recover before the Pelicans face the Memphis Grizzlies in their season opener.