Nov
23
- by Elijah Stone
- 0 Comments
The Jordan Poole era in New Orleans is unraveling before it ever truly began. The New Orleans Pelicans officially ruled out the 26-year-old guard for their November 21, 2025, game against the Dallas Mavericks due to a lingering left quad strain — his 14th consecutive game missed since joining the team in the offseason. Poole, once a spark plug for the Golden State Warriors, is now averaging just 17 points per game on a dismal 35% shooting, his worst efficiency since his rookie season. The Pelicans, already reeling at 2-13, lost that night in Dallas, Texas, falling to 2-14 and extending their skid to eight straight defeats. What’s worse? This isn’t just about Poole. It’s about a franchise losing its way.
A Team Without a Center of Gravity
The Pelicans entered the 2025-2026 season with hope. They traded for Poole to add scoring punch, and they believed Zion Williamson — the 24-year-old former No. 1 overall pick — would finally stay healthy long enough to carry them. That hope shattered by Week 3. Williamson missed his eighth straight game with a hamstring strain, and the team’s offense collapsed without him. When he did play, he was often sidelined late in close games. In the loss to Dallas, head coach James Borrego pulled Williamson with ten seconds left and the team down two. Instead of letting their best player take the final shot, he inserted rookie guard Jordan Hawkins — a move that sent a quiet but unmistakable message: the team is moving on.The Injury Domino Effect
Poole isn’t the only one on the shelf. The Pelicans’ injury report reads like a medical textbook. Dejounte Murray, their starting point guard, is out indefinitely with a ruptured right Achilles — a season-ending injury, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania, with a possible return “right after New Years.” Herbert Jones, the defensive anchor, is sidelined with a back issue. Center Karlo Matkovic is out with a calf strain. Even the depth is failing. The team’s 21-year-old rookie, Jeremiah Fears, is now logging 30+ minutes per game — a brutal test for a second-round pick who’s still learning the NBA game.The Mavericks weren’t exactly healthy either — Anthony Davis missed his 11th straight game — but New Orleans’ collapse was self-inflicted. They led by 15 in the third quarter, then completely unraveled. In the final five minutes, Williamson attempted just two shots. Derik Queen and Trey Murphy III combined for nine. That’s not a strategy. That’s surrender.
A Franchise at a Crossroads
The Pelicans don’t just lack talent — they lack control. They don’t own their first-round pick in the 2026 draft. That’s not a minor detail. It’s a death sentence for rebuilding. Without a top-10 pick, they can’t add a franchise-altering player. They can’t trade for one, either — their future assets are already gone. David Griffin, the executive vice president of basketball operations, is under fire. His offseason moves — Poole for a first-round pick, a failed gamble on Murray’s durability — look increasingly reckless.And here’s the brutal truth: Zion Williamson is no longer the face of this team. Not because he’s not good enough. But because the organization is quietly preparing for life without him. Every time Borrego removes him late in close games, it’s a signal. Every time Fears or Queen is trusted with the ball in crunch time, it’s a transition. The Pelicans aren’t just injured — they’re in the middle of a silent rebuild.
What Comes Next?
The Pelicans face the Atlanta Hawks on November 22, 2025, at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Williamson is listed as out again. Poole remains doubtful. The team’s front office has 24 hours to decide whether to make a trade — or simply tank.There’s no magic fix. They can’t trade for a star without draft capital. They can’t wait for Murray or Jones to return — their injuries are too severe. And Poole? He’s a scoring guard who’s lost his rhythm, his confidence, and now his role. The team needs a new identity. But the clock is ticking. The season is barely a month old, and the Pelicans are already out of contention.
Behind the Numbers
- Jordan Poole: 17 PPG, 35% FG, 34% 3PT (career lows)- Zion Williamson: 8 straight games out, 0.8 blocks per game in 2025 (down from 1.5 in 2024)
- Dejounte Murray: Out since September 25, 2025, with no clear return date
- Pelicans’ record: 2-14 after loss to Mavericks (November 21), 2-15 after loss to Hawks (November 22)
- Rookie minutes: Jeremiah Fears averages 32.4 MPG since November 10
- No first-round pick in 2026 — traded to Utah in 2024 for Poole and a second-rounder
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Jordan Poole struggling so much with the Pelicans?
Poole’s numbers have dropped across the board — his shooting efficiency is his worst since his rookie year. He’s playing alongside a fractured roster, lacks a true playmaker, and has lost his role as a primary scorer. The Pelicans’ offense is stagnant, and he’s being forced into contested shots rather than open looks, which has killed his rhythm. His quad strain may be physical, but his mental fatigue is just as real.
Is Zion Williamson still the future of the Pelicans?
His talent is undeniable, but the organization’s actions suggest otherwise. Coaches are pulling him in clutch moments. The front office hasn’t built a system around him. With Murray out and Poole ineffective, the team is turning to younger players like Fears and Queen. If Williamson doesn’t return healthy and dominant by January, the Pelicans may begin openly planning for a post-Zion era — even if it means trading him before he hits free agency.
How bad is the Pelicans’ draft situation?
They don’t own their first-round pick in 2026 — it went to Utah in the Poole trade. Their next highest pick is a second-rounder. That means they can’t draft a top-tier prospect to accelerate their rebuild. Without a high pick, their only path to improvement is through trades or free agency — both of which require assets they no longer have. This is a long-term problem disguised as a short-term injury crisis.
Who’s stepping up in place of injured players?
Rookie guard Jeremiah Fears is now the de facto starting point guard, averaging 32 minutes and 11.2 points per game since November 10. Derik Queen, a 20-year-old center, is playing 22 minutes per night and showing surprising agility. Trey Murphy III has taken on more scoring duties, averaging 15.8 PPG in the last five games. But these are role players, not stars — and they’re being asked to carry a team that’s not ready for them.
Could the Pelicans trade for a star before the deadline?
Unlikely. They have no first-round picks, few valuable contracts to flip, and no tradeable assets that would attract a contender. Even if they wanted to move Poole or Fears, teams aren’t offering much for players on bad teams without draft capital. The Pelicans are trapped — stuck with a core that’s injured, underperforming, and untradable.
What does this mean for head coach James Borrego?
Borrego’s job is on the line. He’s 47 years old, with a career record of 191-278. The Pelicans hired him to stabilize a young team — not to preside over a collapse. His decision to bench Williamson in crunch time drew criticism from fans and analysts. If the Pelicans fall below 5 wins by December, his dismissal could be imminent. He’s not just coaching a team — he’s managing a meltdown.
Elijah Stone
I am passionate about delivering timely and accurate news to keep the public informed. With a focus on daily news in the United States, I enjoy dissecting current events and presenting them in a way that's both accessible and engaging. My writing aims to spark conversations and encourage readers to stay updated with the rapidly changing world around them. I believe in the power of journalism to make a difference, and I'm dedicated to maintaining its integrity and relevance in today's society.
