Pelicans’ James Borrego Reveals Why Jordan Poole Missed Last Two Games
New Orleans Pelicans interim head coach James Borrego has announced a significant change in his team’s lineup during a recent three-game road trip. The newly formed group, consisting of Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy, Herb Jones, Saddiq Bey, and Derik Queen, managed to secure two victories and one defeat. They achieved wins against the Memphis Grizzlies and San Antonio Spurs, but faced a loss against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Jordan Poole’s Absence Explained
Jordan Poole, a key acquisition from the CJ McCollum trade, did not participate in the games against the Spurs and Thunder. This marked the first time this season that Poole was sidelined while healthy. Earlier in the season, he had already missed 18 games due to injuries sustained in November and December.
Impact of Team Changes
Poole currently holds the position of the second-highest paid player on the Pelicans, with a salary of $31.8 million for the 2025-26 season, just behind Zion Williamson’s $39.4 million. This decision to limit Poole’s playing time comes as the Pelicans consider potential trades leading up to the NBA trade deadline on February 5.
Coaching Decisions
When asked about the rationale behind Poole’s absence, Borrego commented, “Just the lineup. I felt like this group gives us a chance out there to get after it defensively.” He further emphasized the need to focus on size, physicality, and defense at this stage of the season.
Current Season Performance
Throughout the current NBA season, Poole has participated in 28 games, averaging 14.5 points and 3.1 assists. However, he has struggled with shooting, having a field goal percentage of just 37% and a three-point shooting percentage of 34%.
Looking Ahead
Despite these challenges, Borrego remains optimistic about Poole’s readiness to contribute. He stated, “Poole will stay ready and he’ll be ready to go. He was back at it today in practice, and we expect him to stay ready. You never know when your number is going to get called.”
Additionally, guard Jordan Hawkins also missed the previous two games, with Borrego citing similar reasons for his absence. The Pelicans are scheduled to host the Memphis Grizzlies at the Smoothie King Center this Friday at 6:30 p.m., marking their final home game before the trade deadline.
