The New Orleans Pelicans face a challenging road ahead as they announce that Herb Jones, a key defensive player, is out indefinitely with a posterior labrum tear in his right shoulder. The injury was confirmed via an MRI, following his exit from a recent game against the Portland Trail Blazers, where he managed just 18 minutes on the court.

This setback adds to the Pelicans’ struggles this season, as they currently sit at the bottom of the Western Conference with a disappointing 7-31 record. Jones, who was recently honored with an NBA All-Defense first-team selection, had been averaging 32.4 minutes per game before the injury. This marks yet another injury blow for a team already riddled with health issues.

Star players Zion Williamson and Brandon Ingram have both faced significant injury spells, with Williamson just returning to action after being sidelined since early November. However, the Pelicans announced a one-game suspension for him due to a violation of team policies, stemming from being late for the team's flight to Philadelphia and missing multiple practices, further complicating the team’s efforts to turn the season around.