Pelicans' Herbert Jones Out for Remainder of Game

Knee Injury Forces Early Exit

New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones exited Friday night's game against the Sacramento Kings with a right knee injury and will not return, the team announced. Jones suffered the injury late in the third quarter after colliding with Kings guard De'Aaron Fox while driving to the basket. He immediately grabbed his knee and was helped off the court by trainers. The Pelicans announced the extent of Jones' injury after the game.

Impact on the Pelicans

Jones' absence is a significant blow to the Pelicans, who rely heavily on his defense. The 23-year-old has emerged as one of the league's top perimeter defenders, averaging 1.7 steals and 0.9 blocks per game this season. He is also a key contributor on the offensive end, averaging 9.7 points per game. Without Jones, the Pelicans will have a difficult time matching up against the Kings' high-powered offense, led by Fox and Domantas Sabonis.

Timeline for Return

The Pelicans have not yet announced a timeline for Jones' return. The severity of his injury will be determined by an MRI, which is expected to be performed on Saturday. If the injury is minor, Jones could miss only a few games. However, if the injury is more serious, he could be sidelined for an extended period of time.

Pelicans' Next Game

The Pelicans will host the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors are one of the favorites to win the NBA championship this season. Without Jones, the Pelicans will have an even tougher challenge against Stephen Curry and company.

Fans and analysts will be closely monitoring Jones' injury status in the coming days. His absence would be a major setback for the Pelicans, who are currently in the thick of the playoff race in the Western Conference.