DeAndre

Jordan

While Murray is good to go, the Pelicans will not have Trey Murphy for Thursday’s game. He has been replaced in the lineup by Jordan, who offers a little more muscle to deal with Jalen Duren.

Murray will sit out Thursday’s game for injury management reasons, opening up a spot in the starting lineup. The Pelicans could go back to DeAndre Jordan, who moved into the starting lineup a few games before Murray made his season debut.

With Williamson returning to action after a one-game absence, the Pelicans will begin Tuesday’s contest without a legitimate center. DeAndre Jordan heads to the bench, while Saddiq Bey continues to start. Given how well Bey has played this season, it would have been extremely difficult to remove him from the starting five.

Murphy is back after missing the last five games with a right shoulder contusion. Sunday’s game will be the first this season that he and Dejounte Murray (Achilles) have played together. If Zion Williamson (ankle) can’t play, Saddiq Bey and DeAndre Jordan should remain in the starting lineup. One will likely head to the bench if Zion plays.

Missi has not appeared in a game since February 9, with the second-year center being sidelined by a strained left calf. If he can play on Saturday, that could result in fewer minutes for DeAndre Jordan, but Missi is likely to be under a minutes restriction.

Missi has been out since February 9 due to a strained left calf. His continued absence does not affect fantasy basketball, but it has freed up a few minutes for DeAndre Jordan and Karlo Matković.

Murray is making his season debut on Tuesday, and he’ll do so as a starter. He will be under a minutes restriction, so fantasy managers should not expect too much too soon from the guard. Even more surprising is who he replaces in the starting lineup. Jordan will get another start, with Derik Queen being moved to the bench. If you’re confused by this, you aren’t the only one, even with Queen’s defensive struggles.

Jordan delivered double-digit rebounds and nearly reached the lofty 20-stock plateau in just his second start of the season. It was his first appearance since October 29. The 37-year-old veteran offers some decent streaming appeal as a rebounding and blocks specialist when he’s in the lineup, but his opportunities have been limited with the rebuilding Pelicans.

Having last appeared in a game on October 29, Jordan will make his third appearance and second start of the season on Saturday. He’ll match up with Andre Drummond, with the Pelicans likely hoping that their veteran pivot can keep his 76ers counterpart off the glass. Bryce McGowens heads to the bench.

Looney, who has a right heel contusion, played 14 minutes off the bench in Saturday’s loss to the Hawks. If cleared to play on Monday, he’ll take on a similar role, which does not affect fantasy basketball. If Looney sits, DeAndre Jordan may pick up a few minutes backing up starter Derik Queen.