New Orleans will be playing without a few of its key components Saturday, when it tries to post a third straight victory, visiting Chicago at 7 p.m. Four Pelicans players are officially listed as out, a group that includes CJ McCollum (rest), Trey Murphy (rest), Larry Nance Jr. (right rib fracture) and Matt Ryan (right elbow soreness). Jose Alvarado (right ankle sprain) is questionable. McCollum will rejoin the team in Sacramento after being cleared to air travel for Sunday. Murphy made his 2023-24 season debut Friday vs. San Antonio.
Zion Williamson does not appear on Saturday’s injury report. Willie Green noted before Friday’s game Williamson could play in both halves of a back-to-back for the first time this season. Saturday marks NOLA’s fourth back-to-back of the campaign.
For Chicago, current and previous-season starters Zach LaVine (right foot soreness) and Lonzo Ball (left knee surgery) are out. DeMar DeRozan (left ankle sprain) is questionable. Justin Lewis (G League two-way), Adama Sanogo (G League two-way and Onuralp Bitim (iillness) are out.
Previous Game Starting Lineups
NEW ORLEANS (11-9)
Friday win vs. San Antonio
CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Brandon Ingram, Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas
CHICAGO (6-14)
Thursday win vs. Milwaukee
Ayo Dosunmu, Coby White, Alex Caruso, Patrick Williams, Nikola Vucevic
Season Series
Dec. 2: at Chicago, 7 p.m.
Feb. 25: at New Orleans, 6 p.m.