Utah Jazz vs New Orleans Pelicans: Injury Update

The Utah Jazz just released the up-to-date injury information for their game tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Jazz will be without point guards George Hill and Shelvin Mack, and without bench scorer Joe Johnson.

Hill has been the starter all season long (when healthy); while, Mack has been in and out of the line-up. He’s currently out. How out? So much so that Rudy Gobert is making fun of him.

Hayley Byrnes

As for Iso-Joe, this will be the third straight game missed by him - last seen against the Minnesota Timberwolves, out of action against the Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings, and tonight’s match against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The three injuries (two point guards and a bench scorer) means more playing time tonight for Dante Exum, possible Raul Neto, and definitely combo guard Alec Burks. The fact that New Orleans can go big with Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins probably means fewer minutes at stretch four for Joe Ingles, but perhaps more time for Boris Diaw, Trey Lyles, or even Jeff Withey.

Or just hope that Derrick Favors and Rudy Gobert stay out of foul trouble?

Of course, on the other side of the court the New Orleans Pelicans aren’t 100% either. They just signed Jordan Crawford to a 10-Day contract. Why? Because Omer Asik, Jarrett Jack, Quincy Pondexter are all out and Chieck Diallo is assigned to the NBA D-League.

Tonight’s game could look something like this:

• Jrue Holiday vs. Dante Exum
• E’Twaun Moore vs. Rodney Hood
• Solomon Hill vs. Gordon Hayward
• Anthony Davis vs. Derrick Favors
• DeMarcus Cousins vs. Rudy Gobert

• Tim Frazier vs. Raul Neto
• Reggie Williams vs. Alec Burks
• Hollis Thompson vs. Joe Ingles
• Dante Cunningham vs. Trey Lyles
• Alexis Ajinca vs. Boris Diaw

As poorly as the Jazz bench has been playing, it’s obvious that they should be better than the Pelicans bench. And while George Hill has been huge for Utah this year the “Big Three” from last season is all healthy and starting this game. Hood and Hayward should be a huge difference down the stretch as well.

Of course, teams being tired is going to be an issue as well. Both played last night, and both will be playing in the second night of a back to back. FURTHERMORE, both are playing the third game in four nights. Utah has the benefit of being at home, but also playing the fifth game in seven nights. Yikes.

It could be awful. It’s a schedule loss because of fatigue. But it’s not like New Orleans is really great right now. So it’s a toss up.