Pelicans Center Out of Rising Stars Challenge Due to Significant Injury

On the day he was supposed to take the floor at San Francisco's Chase Center and compete in the Rising Stars Challenge at All-Star Weekend, New Orleans Pelicans starting center Yves Missi has instead been ruled out for the competition due to a hyperextended right knee, incurred on Thursday night in New Orleans' 140-133 victory over the Sacramento Kings.

New Orleans announced the news, adding that imaging indicated he had suffered no structural damage.

Missi played all of 11:52 before departing the contest, scoring two points on 1-of-2 shooting, pulling down two boards, and blocking one shot.

The 20-year-old quickly emerged as New Orleans' most viable option for its starting center in 2024-25. He was selected with the No. 21 overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Baylor. Across 52 total bouts (46 starts), the 6-foot-11 big man has been averaging 8.5 points, 8.0 boards, and 1.4 blocks. Should he recuperate soon, it appears Missi is likely headed for an All-Rookie team this season.

New Orleans adds that Missi is set to be reassessed next week, so hopefully he can recover sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, another young player will have to be added to the mix for Friday's festivities. The league moved swiftly, announcing that another All-Rookie team contender, athletic first-year Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, will suit up in the 2025 Castrol Rising Stars Challenge instead.

Buzelis was already in town, as the No. 11 pick in the 2024 Draft is partaking in the Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday night.

The 6-foot-10 forward has been averaging 6.4 points while slashing .441/.361/.796, 2.8 rebounds and 0.5 assists through his first 53 games with his hometown Bulls, while playing 14.8 minutes a night.

Chicago head coach Billy Donovan, saddled with far more guards than forwards on an imbalanced, rebuilding roster, has been compelled to give Buzelisan an extended run of late. And Buzelis has responded in kind. Across his last nine contests, the 20-year-old has improved his stats to average 13.6 points on 610/.441/.765 shooting splits, plus 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and 1.1 blocks in 25.3 minutes per.

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Missi had been slated to play for former Warriors great Mitch Richmond's team in the mini-tournament Friday, meaning Buzelis will suit up for Team Mitch in his stead.

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At 13-42, the Pelicans are currently 0.5 games behind the 13-41 Utah Jazz for the single-worst record in the Western Conference. New Orleans has lost nine of its last 10 games, and if Missi misses any significant time, things could get even more dreary for the struggling franchise.

Still, it's not all bad news for New Orleans. In addition to its own pick in what's set to be a stacked 2025 NBA Draft, the Pelicans also possess the Los Angeles Lakers' first-rounder. Granted, the 32-20 Lakers seem unlikely to fall into the lottery dregs at this point, but having two first-round picks in a loaded draft is a great way for New Orleans to bounce back from a miserable season in a hurry.

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