It’s been a challenging start to the 2023-24 regular season for New Orleans center/forward Larry Nance Jr., who’s been sidelined by injury for exactly half of the team’s first 28 games. But good news seems to be on the way for the ninth-year pro, who indicated after Wednesday’s practice that he’s approaching a return to game action. Nance’s last appearance was Nov. 27 at Utah, due to a right rib fracture.
“I’m really, really close,” Nance said. “I feel better than I have in a long time.”
Nance also had been battling an ankle issue, so his recent three-week stretch of DNPs has helped that improve as well.
Larry Nance Jr. talks his health, seeing family in Cleveland 12/20/2023
“For me individually, it’s a little bit of a blessing,” he said. “Obviously no one wants to crack their rib, but for me it was nice to give myself a chance to have a ‘preseason’ or a build-up (to playing). I feel back to myself and ready to make an impact.”
Nance was a valuable component in the Pelicans’ 2022 trip to the playoffs and gives New Orleans a different element at center, playing behind starter Jonas Valanciunas. A previous NBA dunk contest participant, Nance said his time to recuperate now means, “I feel awesome, I feel athletic, I feel bouncy. We’ve been doing some great things (as a team). I’m just looking forward to adding to it.”
Willie Green on what the team discussed after loss, putting teams away 12/20/2023
Other notes from practice:
Right around the time the Pelicans were to depart to Ohio, they announced that three starters are questionable to play Thursday due to non-Covid illness. That group consists of Zion Williamson, Jonas Valanciunas and Herb Jones. Although New Orleans (16-12) has been forced to shuffle lineups over the first two months of the season, Valanciunas has played in all 28 games, while Jones (25) and Williamson (23) are also within the top six on the roster for most appearances this season. In addition to that trio, reserve center Cody Zeller is also questionable due to a right ankle sprain.
Cleveland (15-12) is in a shorthanded predicament right now too, missing starters Darius Garland (jaw) and Evan Mobley (knee) for at least the next few weeks. Zeller on the Cavaliers: “With (center Jarrett) Allen and Mobley, they’ve got a lot of rim protection. I know they’ve had some injuries, but they also have a lot of good perimeter defenders. We’re going to have to (shoot) a lot of threes, get to our main spots, get (Brandon Ingram and) CJ (McCollum) in rhythm, and go from there. We know (a matchup vs. Cleveland) will be tough for us.” The Cavs won both meetings last season by a double-digit margin over the Pels.