It’s been a hard season for the New Orleans Pelicans and it’s about to get harder.
Herb Jones, the team’s defensive standout, is out indefinitely after being diagnosed with a posterior labrum tear in his right shoulder, the team announced Friday.
Pelicans announce that forward Herb Jones has been diagnosed with a posterior labrum tear in his right shoulder. An MRI taken yesterday confirmed the injury.
Jones will be out indefinitely and further updates will be appropriately provided. pic.twitter.com/8TAi136BCx
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 10, 2025
Jones was previously announced to have suffered a shoulder injury after the Pelicans’ loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, in which he left after a season-low 18 minutes. He missed 18 games earlier this season with an injury to the same shoulder.
Jones is coming off an NBA All-Defense first-team selection from last year and was averaging a career-high 32.4 minutes per game this season.
This is just one more injury for the snakebitten Pelicans, who sit in the basement of the Western Conference at 7-31. Only one of their players, Yves Missi, has logged more than 25 starts. Star forwards Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram have both missed significant time with injuries.
After being out since early November, Williamson finally returned to the lineup on Tuesday. But Friday afternoon the team suspended Williamson for one game for “a violation of team policies.” ESPN reported Williamson was late Thursday for the team’s flight to Philadelphia, where the Pelicans play Friday night, and NBA journalist Chris Haynes reported Williamson was late to multiple practices, which played a role in the suspension.
