After a series of changes to the starting backcourt based on various factors, including Jrue Holiday’s late debut in the regular season, New Orleans made the decision Sunday to go with a more traditional combo of Holiday and E’Twaun Moore at the guard spots for the first time. Just one game after that change was made, the Pelicans will be forced to play without either player.
Roughly 2.5 hours before tip-off of Monday’s home game against Memphis, New Orleans (7-14) announced that Holiday (turf toe) and Moore (toe contusion) will miss the Southwest Division contest. Those two players will join three other Pelicans who are also out of action: Dante Cunningham (right fibula fracture), Tyreke Evans (right knee/left calf strain) and Quincy Pondexter (left knee). Cheick Diallo is in the D-League.
Anthony Davis (right foot sprain) also appeared on the injury report, but is listed as probable.
Based on the list of six absences for New Orleans, the Pelicans will only have nine players in uniform against Memphis. They probably won’t get much sympathy from the Grizzlies, though, because the visitors also have six players listed as out Monday.