Herbert

Jones

Bey and Jones will remain out for the Pelicans’ final game of the season. Jordan Poole and Micah Peavy have moved into the starting lineup, with the former being the superior option for those in active fantasy leagues.

Bey and Jones will join the rest of New Orleans’ regular starters and Karlo Matković (back) on the bench, as the Pels will have to turn to Jeremiah Fears, Derik Queen, Jordan Hawkins and Micah Peavy to shoulder the load.

Despite being healthy, Jones was held out of Tuesday’s win over the Jazz. Jeremiah Fears moved into the lineup and had the best game of his rookie season, as he dropped 40 points. Fears may be the safer option for fantasy managers in active leagues, as the Pelicans have little incentive to play their proven veterans.

Initially questionable due to illness, Hawkins is available. With the Pelicans planning to hold out Herb Jones, Hawkins should play rotation minutes against the Jazz.

Williamson, Saddiq Bey and Herb Jones are all expected to sit out Tuesday’s game despite not being on the injury report. They will be in uniform, likely making this a “break in case of emergency” situation for them. Rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen should see their usage rates skyrocket due to the absences.

Murphy has missed the Pelicans’ last two games with an ankle injury, resulting in Yves Missi moving into the starting lineup the last time out. Missi will head to the bench if Murphy plays, with Herb Jones likely taking on the center responsibilities despite him not being a five.

The Pels were hopeful to have Murphy back for the second leg of New Orleans’ back-to-back set, but he’ll join Murray on the sideline, as the latter gets a maintenance day. With both players out, guys like Yves Missi, Jeremiah Fears and Herbert Jones should take on additional minutes.

Williamson will be back after missing just one game with an ankle injury. Trey Murphy returned to the lineup in that game and filled Zion’s starting spot. That likely means one of Saddiq Bey or Herb Jones will be pushed to a bench role, though both will still play significant minutes.

After totaling 13 points on 3-of-12 shooting in New Orleans’ prior two games, Jones had one of his best offensive performances of the season on Saturday. The 17 points were the most in a game for the Pelicans’ wing since mid-January, and Jones recorded a season-high seven assists. In two games against the Jazz, he was responsible for 13 assists and four turnovers. Jones will look to finish Week 18 on a high note when the Pelicans visit the Clippers on Sunday.

Jones, who recently missed two-plus weeks with a sprained ankle, started and played 30 minutes in Friday’s win over the Grizzlies. His availability for Saturday’s game means that Jeremiah Fears will remain with the bench unit, which has lowered the rookie’s fantasy ceiling.