Pelicans center Yves Missi ruled out with left knee injury against Jazz

New Orleans Pelicans starting center Yves Missi was forced to leave Friday night’s game against the Utah Jazz after sustaining a left leg injury during the second quarter. The rookie big man was unable to put weight on his leg and required assistance to reach the locker room, casting a shadow over the Pelicans' rotation for the remainder of the contest.

The incident occurred with 6:30 remaining in the first half. During a Pelicans offensive possession, Zion Williamson attempted a driving shot that was blocked by Utah’s Jaxson Hayes. In the ensuing scramble, Williamson fell into Missi’s leg, causing the center to collapse on the baseline. Missi was visibly in pain, clutching his knee while medical staff attended to him on the floor.

Following the initial assessment, the team officially ruled Missi out for the remainder of the game due to a left knee injury. The organization confirmed that the Cameroon native will undergo further evaluation on Saturday to determine the severity of the issue. Missi has been a focal point for the Pelicans early in the season, coming off a standout performance in the team's season-opening 123-120 loss to the Indiana Pacers, where he recorded 13 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and three blocks. The center averaged 5.7 points and 5.8 rebounds per game during his previous campaign.