Pelicans' Naji Marshall: Sniffs double-double from bench
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Marshall racked up 14 points (6-12 FG, 1-3 3Pt, 1-2 FT), nine rebounds, three assists and three steals over 28 minutes during Monday's 114-112 loss to the Jazz.
The box score fails to tell the full story behind Marshall's solid total. Although he initially took the floor to spell Zion Williamson, the Pelicans utilized a hybrid lineup without Herbert Jones until the fourth quarter, when Marshall and Jones shared the court. The variable in this scenario appears to be Dyson Daniels, who has failed to be the answer for CJ McCollum (chest), and the gap in production is one reason for the rotation changes.
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Pelicans' Naji Marshall: Solid production as reserve
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Marshall contributed 12 points (4-5 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 2-3 FT), six rebounds, four assists, one block and one steal across 20 minutes during Wednesday's 117-112 win over the Kings.
Marshall did a little bit of everything Wednesday, recording his second game with at least one tally in each category. He missed the first nine games of the campaign due to a knee contusion but has been a steady producer for New Orleans' second unit since making his season debut Nov. 12 versus Dallas. Marshall has scored in double figures in four of his past five appearances, averaging 11.6 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.0 steals in 21.8 minutes per game during that stretch. However, his playing time may take a hit when Trey Murphy (knee) and Matt Ryan (calf) are cleared to return.
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Pelicans' Naji Marshall: Scores 16 points off bench
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Marshall finished Tuesday's 131-110 win over the Mavericks with 16 points (5-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 5-5 FT), four rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal across 21 minutes.
In his second game of the season, Marshall played a prominent bench role, even with Herbert Jones (leg) back in the mix. As long as Trey Murphy (knee) and Larry Nance (ribs) are sidelined, Marshall should have a clear path to consistent playing time. However, fantasy managers shouldn't grow too accustomed to this type of production, as the veteran averaged just 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 23.3 minutes across 77 appearances (21 starts) for the Pelicans last year.
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Pelicans' Naji Marshall: Solid showing in season debut
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Marshall (knee) tallied eight points (2-3 FG, 1-1 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds and two assists across 14 minutes in Sunday's 136-124 loss to the Mavericks.
Marshall missed the Pelicans' first nine games of the season while recovering from a knee contusion before he was cleared to make his 2023-24 debut Sunday. He was a plus-4 during his limited time on the court and shot efficiently, but Marshall likely won't have a path to a larger share of the minutes at forward unless the already banged-up Pelicans lose more key players to injuries.
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Pelicans' Naji Marshall: Cleared to play Sunday
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Marshall (knee) is available for Sunday's matchup against the Mavericks, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Marshall has yet to play during the regular season due to a knee contusion, but he should get minutes Sunday, as the Pelicans remain shorthanded. Across 77 appearances (21 starts) last year, Marshall averaged 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 23.3 minutes per game.
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Pelicans' Naji Marshall: Upgraded to questionable
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Marshall (knee) is questionable for Sunday's game against Dallas.
Marshall has been sidelined since the preseason due to a knee contusion. As his return nears, he profiles as a welcome addition to a Pelicans squad that has leaned on rookie Jordan Hawkins and Matt Ryan for heavy minutes.
Marshall (knee) is out for Friday's game versus the Rockets.
Marshall will miss his ninth straight game to start the season Friday after being downgraded from doubtful to out with a knee injury. His next chance to suit up is Sunday's matchup with Dallas.
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Pelicans' Naji Marshall: Doubtful Friday
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Marshall (knee) is doubtful for Friday's game against the Rockets.
Marshall was previously listed as out, so this is a step in the right direction for him. While fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to play, it seems possible, if not likely, that he'll be in the rotation before the end of November.
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Pelicans' Naji Marshall: Out two more weeks
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The Pelicans announced Monday that Marshall (knee) will be re-evaluated in two weeks, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Marshall will be allowed to ramp up his rehab activity over the next couple weeks to prepare for a return. Once he gets the green light, the Pelicans may bring him along slowly, and there's no guarantee he'll have a significant role with the second unit.
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Pelicans' Naji Marshall: Still out
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Marshall (knee) won't play Monday against the Warriors.
Marshall suffered a bone bruise in his right knee during preseason action and is slated for another evaluation soon. However, until that comes, the veteran can be considered doubtful moving forward. After Monday's game, the Pelicans will head to Oklahoma City for a matchup Wednesday.
The Pelicans announced Sunday that Marshall will be re-evaluated in two weeks after suffering a bone bruise in his right knee in Saturday's 110-105 preseason loss to the Hawks.
The diagnosis comes as positive news after Marshall was taken to the locker room in a wheelchair upon suffering the injury in the second quarter Saturday. He'll miss the remainder of the preseason, and since he won't be re-evaluated for another two weeks, Marshall will remain sidelined for at least the Pelicans' firs two regular-season contests, and likely longer. The Pelicans' wing depth will be tested in the early going with both Marshall and Trey Murphy (knee) facing multi-week absences.
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Pelicans' Naji Marshall: Suffers knee injury
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Marshall was ruled out of Saturday's game against the Hawks due to a right knee injury, Christian Clark of The New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.
Marshall appears to have hyperextended his knee, and the Pelicans played it safe and ruled him out. Further tests will be needed to see whether he'll have to miss time, putting his availability for the regular-season opener against the Grizzlies on Oct. 25 in doubt.
The Pelicans picked up Marshall's $1.9 million team option for the 2023-24 season Thursday, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.
Marshall is set to stay in New Orleans for his fourth straight season to start his career. In 2022-23, the 25-year-old forward averaged 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 23.3 minutes across 77 appearances, including 21 starts. Marshall has improved his field-goal percentage every season of his tenure, landing at 43.3 percent last year.
