The New Orleans Pelicans (previously the Hornets) have faced significant injury challenges, particularly to key players, over the past 15+ years. Below is a season-by-season summary of how injuries have impacted the team, often sidelining star players and reshaping their season’s trajectory. This list primarily highlights injuries to starters and key contributors, with role players also frequently affected by injuries.

Season-by-Season Injury Summary

2008-09 Season

• Record: 49-33
• Key Injuries:
  • Peja Stojaković: 21 games (back and groin)
  • Tyson Chandler: 29 games (ankle surgery)
  • David West: 8 games (back issues)

2009-10 Season

• Record: 37-45
• Key Injuries:
  • Chris Paul: 37 games (knee surgery)
  • Peja Stojaković: 20 games (back issues)

2010-11 Season

• Record: 46-36
• Key Injuries:
  • David West: 9 games, including a season-ending ACL injury
  • Notes: Depth challenges led to desperate attempts to fill roster gaps, including a trade for Jerryd Bayless (ultimately traded away in a deal that would lead to Tobias Harris).

2011-12 Season (Lockout-Shortened)

• Record: 21-45
• Key Injuries:
  • Eric Gordon: 57 games (knee)
  • Emeka Okafor: 39 games (knee)
  • Trevor Ariza: 14 games (ankle)

2012-13 Season

• Record: 27-55
• Key Injuries:
  • Anthony Davis: 18 games (concussion, ankle sprain)
  • Eric Gordon: 40 games (knee)

2013-14 Season

• Record: 34-48
• Key Injuries:
  • Anthony Davis: 15 games (back, ankle)
  • Jrue Holiday: 48 games (stress fracture in leg)
  • Ryan Anderson: 60 games (herniated disc)
  • Eric Gordon: 18 games (knee, shoulder)
  • Tyreke Evans: 10 games (ankle)
  • Notes: The newly assembled core seldom played together due to injuries.

2014-15 Season (Playoff Appearance)

• Record: 45-37
• Key Injuries:
  • Anthony Davis: 14 games (shoulder, ankle)
  • Jrue Holiday: 42 games (leg issues)
  • Ryan Anderson: 21 games (knee sprain)
  • Eric Gordon: 21 games (shoulder)
  • Quincy Pondexter: Injured in playoffs (knee)

2015-16 Season

• Record: 30-52
• Key Injuries:
  • Anthony Davis: 21 games (knee, shoulder)
  • Tyreke Evans: 57 games (knee surgeries)
  • Jrue Holiday: 17 games (eye, leg issues)
  • Eric Gordon: 37 games (finger)
  • Quincy Pondexter: Missed the entire season
  • Notes: Severe depth issues forced the team to search for available players all season.

2016-17 Season

• Record: 34-48
• Key Injuries:
  • Jrue Holiday: 15 games (family, minor injuries)
  • Tyreke Evans: 50 games (knee)
  • Quincy Pondexter: Missed entire season
  • Omer Asik: 51 games (Crohn’s Disease)
  • Notes: A total of 25 players suited up due to injuries and roster challenges.

2017-18 Season (Playoff Appearance)

• Record: 48-34
• Key Injuries:
  • DeMarcus Cousins: 34 games (Achilles rupture)
  • Solomon Hill: 72 games (hamstring)

2018-19 Season

• Record: 33-49
• Key Injuries:
  • Anthony Davis: 26 games (various injuries)
  • Jrue Holiday: 15 games (abdominal)
  • Elfrid Payton: 40 games (finger, ankle)
  • Nikola Mirotic: 29 games (ankle, calf)
  • Notes: Anthony Davis requested a trade during the season.

2019-20 Season (COVID-19 Shortened)

• Record: 30-42
• Key Injuries:
  • Zion Williamson: 45 games (knee surgery)
  • Brandon Ingram: 10 games (knee soreness)
  • Jrue Holiday: 11 games (elbow, groin)
  • Derrick Favors: 20 games (back)

2020-21 Season

• Record: 31-41
• Key Injuries:
  • Zion Williamson: 11 games (thumb, foot)
  • Brandon Ingram: 21 games (ankle, hip)
  • Lonzo Ball: 17 games (hip, hand)
  • Steven Adams: 11 games (toe)
  • Notes: Despite fewer injuries, team struggled with roster construction and COVID challenges.

2021-22 Season (First Round Playoffs)

• Record: 36-46
• Key Injuries:
  • Zion Williamson: Missed entire season (foot)
  • Brandon Ingram: 27 games (hamstring, ankle)

2022-23 Season (Play-In Tournament)

• Record: 42-40
• Key Injuries:
  • Zion Williamson: 53 games (hamstring)
  • Brandon Ingram: 37 games (toe)
  • CJ McCollum: 8 games (thumb, ankle)
  • Larry Nance Jr.: 25 games (shoulder, hip)

2023-24 Season (First Round Playoffs)

• Record: 49-33
• Key Injuries:
  • Zion Williamson: 12 games (various)
  • Brandon Ingram: 18 games (Achilles, knee)
  • CJ McCollum: 16 games (thumb, torn labrum)
  • Trey Murphy: 25 games (knee recovery)
  • Larry Nance Jr.: 21 games

2024-25 Season (5 games in)

• Key Injuries:
  • Trey Murphy: 5 games (hamstring)
  • Dejounte Murray: 4 games (hand)
  • Zion Williamson: 4 games (hand)
  • Zion Williamson – Indefinitely (hamstring)
  • CJ McCollum – 2-3 weeks (Right abductor strain)
  • Herbert Jones – Indefinitely (Shoulder injury)
  • Jordan Hawkins – Indefinitely (Back injury)

The Pelicans franchise has experienced repeated setbacks due to major injuries, affecting both team dynamics and player development. Many seasons have seen a revolving door of injured key players, and the franchise often struggled with roster depth to compensate for these losses.