Yves

Missi

After a two-game absence, Missi is available to play on Saturday. His return likely means that Karlo Matković will head to the bench, but this does not affect fantasy basketball. As a starter, Missi is worth streaming in deep leagues while the Pelicans remain without Zion Williamson.

Missi has missed the Pelicans’ last two games, which has allowed Karlo Matkovic to fill out the reserve center minutes. If Missi remains out, Matkovic will maintain that role, but that hasn’t yielded him enough time to be worth rostering in standard leagues.

Missi started in place of Zion Williamson on Sunday against the Lakers, but missed Tuesday’s game against the Timberwolves with a sore right foot and ankle. Missi is set to miss another game with his various injuries against the Timberwolves on Thursday. Kevon Looney could see additional minutes, but isn’t worth rostering in most fantasy leagues.

Missi is dealing with a sore right foot and ankle and will join Zion Williamson (adductor) on the sideline for Tuesday’s game. While additional rotation minutes may be available to veteran Kevon Looney, he is not a player to roster in fantasy leagues.

Williamson was off the injury report on Monday evening for his hamstring, but the adductor issue is a new one, suggesting he may sit this one out. Missi is also a late addition to the injury report, and if both he and Zion are forced to sit this one out, Derik Queen and Saddiq Bey should see even higher usage. Micah Peavey and Kevon Looney could soak up some additional minutes off the bench.

Williamson did not play in Sunday’s loss to the Lakers, which was the Pelicans’ second game in as many nights. To fill the void, New Orleans employed a legitimate center, with Yves Missi moving into the starting lineup. He should head to the bench on Tuesday, with Derik Queen remaining with the starters.

Missi will fill in for Zion Williamson as a starter for the second leg of the Pelicans’ back-to-back. Missi had 10 rebounds in 20 minutes off the bench on Saturday and should have a good chance to record a double-double as a starter.

As was the case in Monday’s win over the Bulls, Yves Missi (6/6/3/0/3) played more minutes than Queen. However, the split was closer to even, with Missi logging 29 minutes and Queen 24. The rookie did record nine assists, two shy of his season high, and his ability to facilitate offense should raise Queen’s fantasy ceiling in time. He has provided seventh-round value over two weeks, so losing playing to Missi has not done too much harm to Queen’s value.

While the Pelicans scored 74 points in the first half, that did not keep interim head coach James Borrego from making a few lineup changes. Missi and Jose Alvarado were inserted into the lineup, with rookies Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen (8/5/4/1/1 in 17 minutes) being bumped to the bench. Missi had his best game of the season, recording a double-double with season-highs in points and rebounds. Add in the blocked shots, and Monday’s effort was a step in the right direction for the second-year center. As long as Queen remains the starter, there isn’t much to gain from rostering Missi right now. But keep an eye on him, as his value may expand during the “silly season.”

Williamson is back after an eight-game absence, and he’s part of the Pelicans’ starting lineup. Yves Missi will come off the bench, with Queen remaining in the starting five. That’s good news for fantasy managers who have hoped to see the rookie playing starters’ minutes consistently.