Jordan

Poole

Friday’s game will be the third that Murphy has missed with an ankle injury. Jordan Poole moved into the starting lineup for Tuesday’s win over the Jazz and went off for 34 points. Look for him to take on a significant role within the Pelicans’ rotation once again.

Inserted into the Pelicans’ starting lineup due to the team’s many absences, Poole looked sharp on Tuesday. And he was at his best during the third quarter, with the veteran guard going off for 22 points in the frame. Poole finished with a complete stat line, providing excellent value to the few in active leagues brave enough to stream him. If the Pelicans remain as shorthanded as they were on Tuesday, Poole could put up some big numbers in the team’s final two games of the season.

Herb Jones, Saddiq Bey and Zion Williamson are active for Tuesday’s game, but none are expected to play according to interim head coach James Borrego. Fears is the lone holdover from the lineup that started Sunday’s loss to the Magic, with Poole, Peavy, Queen and Looney all starting.

Poole made a huge impact off the bench in this one, knocking down 5-of-11 from downtown to reach the 20-point mark for the first time since January 11. The 26-year-old guard The Pelicans have won three of their last five contests and will try to keep things going in the right direction with a four-game week coming up that features a pair of matchups against the Jazz in addition to facing the Warriors and Clippers.

The highs are quite high, and the lows are rather low for Poole. Over his last five games, he has hit at least four triples in three of them, and he has gone scoreless in the other two. Poole has been too inconsistent to be considered a must-roster player, even if he is able to have some strong outings from time to time. Still, this was a solid performance for him.

Alvarado has been out for three straight games, and his absence will extend through at least the end of January. Until Alvarado returns, Jordan Poole and Bryce McGowens should see additional playing time, while Jeremiah Fears continues to hold things down in the first unit.

After scoring 21 points in a January 7 game against the Hawks, Poole went scoreless in a win over the Wizards two nights later. He was far more involved offensively on Sunday, shooting 6-of-8 from beyond the arc. While his place within the rotation makes Poole a player worth holding onto despite coming off the bench, the inconsistency can be frustrating. The Pelicans play four games in Week 13, starting with the Nuggets on Tuesday.

Alvarado will miss a second straight game, which has allowed Jeremiah Fears to take on extra minutes as the starting point guard. Jordan Poole is filling out the backup minutes, but he was held scoreless in 12 minutes in their last game.

Initially listed as doubtful, Jones is now officially out against Washington, which will be his second straight absence. Jordan Poole and Karlo Matkovic should remain in the starting unit with both Jones and Trey Murphy (back) sidelined once again.

Jones did not play in Wednesday’s loss to the Hawks, which was the Pelicans’ second game in as many nights. With the doubtful tag, he appears on track to miss a second consecutive game. Jordan Poole may remain in the starting lineup if Jones sits, raising his fantasy ceiling.