The New Orleans Pelicans visit the Detroit Pistons on Thursday, March 26, at Little Caesars Arena, with both teams managing several injuries ahead of the 7:00 p.m. ET tipoff.
Detroit enters the game with the best record in the Eastern Conference at 52-20, while New Orleans sits 11th in the Western Conference at 25-48.
The most notable absence is Pistons guard Cade Cunningham, who is out due to a left lung pneumothorax. Cunningham has been Detroit’s primary offensive engine this season, averaging 24.5 points and 9.9 assists per game.
Jalen Duren is listed as probable due to right knee injury management. The center has been one of the league’s most efficient interior scorers, averaging 19.3 points while shooting 64.0% from the field along with 10.6 rebounds per game.
Ausar Thompson is also probable with right ankle injury management. Thompson contributes across multiple categories, averaging 10.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game.
Duncan Robinson is probable with right wrist injury management. Robinson has started 70 games and averages 11.9 points while shooting 40.3% from three-point range.
Detroit’s injury list also includes Tobias Harris, who is questionable with left hip soreness. Harris provides frontcourt scoring and rebounding, averaging 13.3 points and 5.2 rebounds in 55 starts this season.
Caris LeVert will miss the game due to right knee soreness, while Isaiah Stewart remains out with a left calf strain. Wendell Moore Jr. is also unavailable while on a two-way assignment in the G League.
New Orleans has several absences as well. Bryce McGowens is out with a fracture in his right small toe, and two-way players Trey Alexander, Hunter Dickinson, and Josh Oduro are also unavailable.
The Pelicans’ biggest uncertainty involves Trey Murphy III, who is questionable with a right ankle sprain. Murphy has been New Orleans’ top scorer this season, averaging 21.7 points while shooting 38.3% from three across 64 games.
If Murphy cannot play, the Pelicans would lose a major perimeter scoring option and floor spacer. Saddiq Bey, who averages 17.4 points and 5.7 rebounds, could see a larger offensive role.
Zion Williamson remains available and continues to anchor the Pelicans’ interior offense. The forward averages 21.4 points while shooting 60.1% from the field in 56 games this season.
Dejounte Murray is available despite right Achilles injury management. Murray has appeared in 11 games for New Orleans and is averaging 17.6 points and 6.7 assists.
Detroit won the first meeting between the teams this season, defeating New Orleans 112-104 on January 21. The Pistons will attempt to secure a season-series sweep despite key injuries.
The matchup also comes shortly after Detroit’s 130-129 overtime loss to Atlanta and New Orleans’ 121-116 defeat against New York.
