BREAKING: New Orleans Pelicans center Kevon Looney has been sidelined for the start of the NBA season due to a serious left knee injury. The team confirmed today that Looney will be out for at least two to three weeks following a diagnosis of a proximal tibiofibular ligament sprain.
The injury occurred during a preseason exhibition game in Australia against the South East Melbourne Phoenix on October 5. This news comes just weeks before the Pelicans’ regular season opener on October 22 at Memphis, raising concerns about team dynamics and performance right out of the gate.
Looney, who stands 6-foot-9, is entering his 11th NBA season and has previously been a key player for three championship-winning teams with the Golden State Warriors. He averaged 5 points and 5.7 rebounds throughout his career and was a notable free-agent acquisition this offseason under the new executive vice president of basketball operations, Joe Dumars.
The Pelicans will now look to fill the gap left by Looney’s absence. Yves Missi, a 2024 first-round draft choice out of Baylor, is among the available centers. Missi had a promising rookie season, playing in 73 games, starting 67, and averaging 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in 26.8 minutes per game.
This injury is significant not just for Looney, but for the entire Pelicans roster as they prepare for the upcoming season. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how this impacts the team’s strategy and performance in the first weeks of the season.
As the Pelicans gear up, all eyes will be on the recovery timeline for Looney and how quickly he can return to the court. Updates will follow as the situation develops.
