<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/nba/los-angeles-lakers/sources-lakers-target-nick-richards-yves-missi-trade-talks');   ga('set', 'title', 'Sources: Lakers target Nick Richards, Yves Missi in trade talks for center');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Lakers-target-Nick-Richards-Yves-Missi-in-trade-talks-for-center.jpg"></figure><h1>Sources: Lakers target Nick Richards, Yves Missi in trade talks for center</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-07-01T18:08:31-07:00">July 1st, 6:08pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-07-01T18:08:31-07:00">July 1st, 6:08pm</time><address><a>Brett Siegel</a>Brett Siegel joined ClutchPoints as a credentialed NBA insider and reporter in May 2023 after previously covering the NBA for Fastbreak on FanNation and NBA Analysis Network, as well as working with Louisville Basketball. From playing to coaching to covering the game as a media member, Brett has been involved with the game of basketball from many different perspectives. Breaking the news of various free agent signings, yearly NBA Draft news and other key stories around the league, Brett is always on the phone, getting the latest news and rumors around the NBA. Be sure to follow him on Twitter @BrettSiegelNBA.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Lakers</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Lakers have been seeking a center upgrade on the trade market throughout the offseason. After <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/inside-failed-lakers-hornets-trade-mark-williams">rescinding their trade for Charlotte Hornets center Mark Williams</a>, who was recently traded to the Phoenix Suns this summer, executive Rob Pelinka and his front office have made it their top goal to add a rim-running big man who fits the same timeline as Luka Doncic.</p><p>As the Lakers have continued to scour, their search has led them to multiple names. Nic Claxton and Walker Kessler are the household, fan-favorite players many are linking to the team on social media, and both have been players Pelinka and his front office have discussed.</p><p>However, <a href="https://x.com/BrettSiegelNBA/status/1940207084580348378" rel="noopener">new names have emerged</a> in the Lakers’ search for frontcourt talent, specifically Phoenix Suns’ Nick Richards and New Orleans Pelicans’ Yves Missi, sources said.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-news-josh-okogie-rick-richards-hornets-trade">Richards was acquired by the Suns</a> before the 2025 NBA trade deadline for three second-round picks and Josh Okogie. In 36 games with Phoenix after his trade from Charlotte, the 27-year-old center averaged 9.5 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while shooting over 60 percent from the floor.</p><p>The Suns recently <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/phoenix-suns/suns-news-why-khaman-maluach-fits-in-new-culture">drafted Khaman Maluach</a> with the 10th pick in the 2025 NBA Draft and traded for Williams, who Lakers fans know all too well. Phoenix is also high on Oso Ighodaro’s development and potential entering the 2025-26 season, which is why the team is willing to move Richards this offseason.</p><p>Los Angeles has been linked to Richards already this offseason by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, who also reported that the New York Knicks and Indiana Pacers are <a href="https://hoopshype.com/lists/nba-intel-free-agency-deandre-ayton-malik-beasley-myles-turner-nickeil-alexander-walker-trades/" rel="noopener">among several teams to inquire</a> about the athletic big man.</p><p>Missi is a very intriguing name to emerge as a trade target for the Lakers. The 21-year-old was recently named to the 2024-25 All-Rookie Second Team after averaging 9.1 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game in his first season with the Pelicans.</p><p>The 21st-overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft may be more obtainable than many would imagine, especially after New Orleans flipped their front office around in the offseason, replacing David Griffin with Joe Dumars.</p><p>Since Dumars took over, the Pelicans have been very aggressive in trade talks around the league, sources said. New Orleans has both fielded and made calls to teams to try and flip their roster around into one that can compete in the Western Conference immediately.</p><p>In addition to <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/new-orleans-pelicans/pelicans-news-derik-queen-sends-warning-amid-nba-draft-criticism">trading up to select Derik Queen</a> in the lottery of this year’s draft, a player Dumars and the Pelicans’ brass are exceptionally high on, the team went out and signed veteran center Kevon Looney from the Golden State Warriors.</p><p>It doesn’t seem like the Pelicans are done making moves in their frontcourt just yet. Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins have been two names floated around in trade rumors, with New Orleans wanting to add more size, sources said.</p><p>The Lakers have also <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/sources-lakers-running-into-a-familiar-problem-in-trade-talks">held trade conversations</a> with the Portland Trail Blazers regarding veteran center Robert Williams III. With the Blazers waiving Deandre Ayton, who is rumored to be <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba/los-angeles-lakers/lakers-news-la-fans-already-recruiting-deandre-ayton-after-buyout">another player Los Angeles is gathering more information</a> on, it appears Williams’ price has decreased from where it stood before the trade deadline in February.</p><p>Williams is entering the final year of his contract and will make just $13.2 million during the 2025-26 season.</p><p>The Orlando Magic are another team the Lakers have contacted regarding Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze, sources said. It is unknown at this time what the extent of these conversations was and whether the Magic are actively listening to offers for Carter, a valuable member of their frontcourt.</p><p>Between free agency and the trade market, Pelinka and the Lakers’ brass have remained busy trying to find an immediate upgrade in their frontcourt. Despite missing out on Brook Lopez, Myles Turner, and Clint Capela in free agency, Los Angeles remains extremely motivated to add an impactful center this offseason.</p><p><i>(ClutchPoints’ Lakers insider Anthony Irwin also contributed to this report).</i></p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Sources: Lakers target Nick Richards, Yves Missi in trade talks for center

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/76ers-news-kelly-oubre-tough-fall-dunk-yves-missi');   ga('set', 'title', 'Kelly Oubre Jr. takes tough fall after dunk over Yves Missi');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/76ers-news-Kelly-Oubre-takes-tough-fall-after-dunk-over-Yves-Missi.jpg"></figure><h1>Kelly Oubre Jr. takes tough fall after dunk over Yves Missi</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-01-10T20:06:11-08:00">January 10th, 8:06pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-01-10T20:06:11-08:00">January 10th, 8:06pm</time><address><a>David Yapkowitz</a>David Yapkowitz is an NBA Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He is a credentialed reporter based in Los Angeles who covers the NBA/WNBA, NCAA/NCAAW and boys/girls high school basketball.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Philadelphia <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-paul-george-delivers-honest-take-philly-flourishing-chemistry">76ers have been trying to rebound after a very poor start</a> to the 2024-25 season, but they took a major step back on Friday. The 76ers lost to the very short-handed New Orleans Pelicans, 123-115. But if they want to find anything positive about the game, it was the thunderous dunk that Kelly Oubre Jr. threw down over Yves Missi.</p><p>There may have been cause for concern from the 76ers though as Kelly Oubre took a hard fall after his dunk over Yves Missi. But there was no word after the game in terms of any potential injury. And after the initial play, Oubre even grinned a bit as he got up from the fall. It appears as if the 76ers avoided a potential catastrophe.</p><p>But the 76ers still should be concerned about their play on the court.</p><p>Kelly Oubre did his part in terms of trying to get the 76ers the win. He finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, one assist and two steals. He shot 7-of-18 from the field, 2-of-5 from the three-point line and 4-of-5 from the free-throw line.</p><p>This season, Oubre has appeared in 32 games for the 76ers, including 29 starts, at a little over 32 minutes per game. He’s been averaging 13.3 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.4 steals with splits of 45.9 percent shooting from the field, 28.1 percent shooting from the three-point line and 72.8 percent shooting from the free-throw line.</p><p>Oubre is in his second season with the 76ers after joining the team during the 2023 offseason when he signed a one-year contract. When he hit free agency this past offseason, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/76ers-news-kelly-oubre-jr-16-3-million-contract-free-agency">Oubre re-signed with the 76ers</a> on a two-year contract worth a little over $16 million. He has the option to re-enter free agency this coming offseason as he has a player option for the 2025-26 season.</p><p>The 76ers are currently 15-21 and in 11th place in the Eastern Conference standings. They are 6-4 in their last ten games.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Kelly Oubre Jr. takes tough fall after dunk over Yves Missi

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/grizzlies-news-zach-edey-jumps-yves-missi-betting-favorite-rookie-of-the-year');   ga('set', 'title', 'Grizzlies’ Zach Edey jumps Yves Missi as betting favorite for Rookie of the Year');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Grizzlies-news-Zach-Edey-jumps-Yves-Missi-as-betting-favorite-for-Rookie-of-the-Year.jpg"><figcaption>12/30/24</figcaption></figure><h1>Grizzlies’ Zach Edey jumps Yves Missi as betting favorite for Rookie of the Year</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-30T12:42:50-08:00">December 30th, 12:42pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-31T10:25:38-08:00">December 31st, 10:25am</time><address><a>Josue Pavon</a>Josue Pavon is an Associate Editor and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat writer for ClutchPoints. He started his career as a credentialed media member writing about the Boston Celtics for WEEI.com in Boston, where he grew into a local on-camera NBA reporter and podcast host for CLNS Media. Alongside the Celtics radio broadcaster and two-time NBA champion Cedric Maxwell, Josue is the co-host of the Cedric Maxwell podcast.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Betting</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Memphis Grizzlies’ ninth overall pick, Zach Edey, has leaped past New Orleans Pelicans rookie center Yves Missi as the betting favorite for Rookie of the Year. Since <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-zach-edey-taylor-jenkins-defense-priority-rookie-boost-starting-lineup">Edey was added to the Grizzlies starting lineup</a>, Memphis has continued to climb up the Western Conference standings. And now it’s led to its rookie center reaching the top of the best betting odds for ROTY.</p><p>Edey is leading Missi, as the top rookie centers have the <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/nba?tab=season-awards" rel="noopener">best odds</a> of winning the first-year honor, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.</p><p>Edey has +120 odds, leading Missi, who is second with +400 for the best odds. The top rookie centers lead San Antonio Spurs’ rookie Stephon Castle (+600) and Edey’s teammate, Grizzlies guard Jaylen Wells (+900).</p><p>Edey recorded his fourth double-double (21 points, 16 rebounds) in a 155-126 win against the Toronto Raptors, followed by 14 points and nine rebounds in a 132-124 win against Missi and the Pelicans. Zach finished with a pair of blocks in both games as the Grizzlies have won four of their last five games.</p><p>The Grizzlies improved to 22-11. The Grizzlies’ current stretch led to Memphis leapfrogging the Houston Rockets for the second-best record in the Western Conference, trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder (26-5) by 5.0 games for the top spot.</p><h2><b>Zach Edey’s glowing review before ROTY clash vs. Yves Missi</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Grizzlies-rookie-center-Zach-Edey.jpg"><figcaption>Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>It didn’t take long for Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins to turn rookie center Zach Edey into a starter before facing New Orleans Pelicans rookie Yves Missi. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-news-zach-edey-glowing-starting-role-review-nba-rookie-of-the-year-clash-yves-missi-pelicans">Jenkins sang Edey’s praises before facing Missi</a> following the Grizzlies’ historic 29-point win over the Toronto Raptors.</p><p>For Jenkins and the Grizzlies, it was their second 30-plus-point win at home this season. Jenkins shared how much Edey has <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC43LXIz4Cw" rel="noopener">impressed</a> him thus far.</p><p>“Zach was a force [in the win over the Raptors],” Jenkins said. “His rebounding was phenomenal, had a couple of blocked shots but just deterring shots in the paint, deterring drives in the paint. I thought he was pretty grounded on the offensive side with his finishes. He was able to get in better positions, and his spacing on the offensive side was really good.</p><p>“Overall, he was huge when we went on a couple of runs. Transition opportunities come from his blocked shots or him limiting them to just one shot. His presence was huge for us on both ends.”</p><p>Edey is averaging 11.3 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, and 0.8 steals amidst his rookie campaign with the Grizzlies, who will face the Suns on Tuesday night.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Grizzlies’ Zach Edey jumps Yves Missi as betting favorite for Rookie of the Year

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/pelicans-news-yves-missi-painfully-honest-physical-battle-grizzlies-zach-edey');   ga('set', 'title', 'Pelicans’ Yves Missi gets painfully honest on physical battle with Grizzlies’ Zach Edey');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Pelicans-news-Yves-Missi-gets-painfully-honest-on-physical-battle-with-Zach-Edey.jpg"></figure><h1>Pelicans’ Yves Missi gets painfully honest on physical battle with Grizzlies’ Zach Edey</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-28T12:04:11-08:00">December 28th, 12:04pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-28T12:04:11-08:00">December 28th, 12:04pm</time><address><a>Chris Dodson</a>Chris Dodson is a Memphis Grizzlies beat reporter for ClutchPoints who has also covered the New Orleans Pelicans. He has covered Louisiana high school and college basketball in spurts for over a decade. A basketball lifer from the bayou, his gumbo-stirring form matches his elbow jumper celebrations. Fast enough for varsity hoops, tall enough for a soccer scholarship. He has words and will travel, just not on the court.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Memphis Grizzlies</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/pelicans-news-zion-williamson-definitive-injury-timeline-practice-return">New Orleans Pelicans are still waiting for Zion Williamson</a> amid one of the worst seasons in NBA history. The front office has been <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/nba-rumors-zion-williamson-3-core-pelicans-being-shopped">shopping Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum</a> to no avail while Willie Green tries to get the new-look roster back on track. Rookie Yves Missi has been one of the few bright spots but even the big man from Baylor has been getting bruised up lately. Unfortunately, a battle against Zach Edey and the Memphis Grizzlies was cut short. At least the Pelicans showed signs after being called ‘soft’ by Willie Green following yet another loss.</p><p>Missi <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNAPq32HY1I" rel="noopener">pulled no punches</a> when asked about playing against Edey and leaving the game with an injury.</p><p>“I feel like I could have done a better job overall. I mean, I got some defensive stops but my falling didn’t help at all,” Jenkins admitted. “I tried to come back and help my team win the game. That was the main thing for me, just try and go back on the court. I was still a little hurt. I still feel the pain a little bit but that’s about it.”</p><p>The exit against the Grizzlies was the second game in two nights where Missi had to be removed due to injury. Fans should not be worried about the big man’s availability though.</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Yves-Missi-Pelicans-dunking-Zach-Edey-Grizzlies.jpg"><figcaption>Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>“I’ll be alright. I’ll be fine. I’ve seen worse than this,” Missi explained. “I just got hit on my chin (against Houston) and I bit my tongue up. There are a lot of cuts on my tongue. I was just bleeding, that’s about it. It’s nothing serious.”</p><p>Being called out did not get ignored by the locker room. Missi saw a big difference in attitude from the Pelicans against Zach Edey’s Grizzlies. It was encouraging even if the result (another loss) was the same as it was against the Houston Rockets.</p><p>“Compared to yesterday (vs. Houston) it’s two different teams,” Missi said. “Yesterday, I felt like we didn’t give it our all. It was just us running around not really having a plan. Today (vs. Memphis) was about us being more physical and setting a tone from the beginning.”</p><p>The problem has been stringing together full quarters of good plays. Next up is James Harden and the Los Angeles Clippers and New Orleans is in the midst of a nine-game losing streak. Yves Missi, always looking to help in some way, had some notes on what worked after the Pelicans went on an 8-0 run in the third quarter.</p><p>“Moving the ball and attacking the paint was the main thing for us, executing,” Missi noted. “Coach (Willie Green) drew some plays for us to execute for (CJ McCollum) that were good.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Pelicans’ Yves Missi gets painfully honest on physical battle with Grizzlies’ Zach Edey

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/grizzlies-news-zach-edey-glowing-starting-role-review-nba-rookie-of-the-year-clash-yves-missi-pelicans');   ga('set', 'title', 'Grizzlies’ Zach Edey gets glowing starting role review before ROTY clash vs. Yves Missi');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Grizzlies-news-Zach-Edey-gets-glowing-starting-role-review-before-ROTY-clash-with-Yves-Missi.jpg"></figure><h1>Grizzlies’ Zach Edey gets glowing starting role review before ROTY clash vs. Yves Missi</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-12-27T13:11:38-08:00">December 27th, 1:11pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-12-27T13:11:38-08:00">December 27th, 1:11pm</time><address><a>Chris Dodson</a>Chris Dodson is a Memphis Grizzlies beat reporter for ClutchPoints who has also covered the New Orleans Pelicans. He has covered Louisiana high school and college basketball in spurts for over a decade. A basketball lifer from the bayou, his gumbo-stirring form matches his elbow jumper celebrations. Fast enough for varsity hoops, tall enough for a soccer scholarship. He has words and will travel, just not on the court.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Memphis Grizzlies</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The NBA season is now one-third of the way complete with the lines between contenders, pretenders, and also-rans becoming clearer by the day. Some games are expected to be far more competitive than others but individual matchups in blowouts are still worth watching. Zach Edey versus Yves Missi is exactly the kind of clash that will keep a <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/grizzlies-vs-pelicans-prediction-odds-pick-12-27-2024">meeting between the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Pelicans</a> interesting.</p><p>Both Zach Edey and Yves Missi have <a href="https://www.nba.com/news/kia-rookie-ladder-december-24-2024-edition" rel="noopener">earned starting roles this season</a> and they climb up the NBA Rookie of the Year ladder. Edey (11.1 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.9 blocks/steals) has made 9-of-20 (45%) three-pointers. That threat should pull Missi out of the paint. However, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/pelicans-news-yves-missi-making-progress-while-taking-ownership-defense-rookie">surprising Pelicans rookie has been making plays</a> and recovering from the perimeter all season.</p><p>Missi leads all rookies in double-doubles (7), rebounds per game (8.6), and total rebounds (258). He is averaging 9.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks/steals per game. Edey has better shooting percentages from the field and the free-throw line. Missi has not made a three-pointer but has shown more spring in his step while handling the ball and driving to the rim. Their unique styles should make for a great Friday Night rookie fight.</p><p>Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sC43LXIz4Cw" rel="noopener">heaped on the praise</a> for Edey after a record-breaking 155-128 home win over the Toronto Raptors.</p><p>“Zach was a force (in the win over the Raptors),” Jenkins boasted. “His rebounding was phenomenal, had a couple of blocked shots but just deterring shots in the paint, deterring drives in the paint. I thought he was pretty grounded on the offensive side with his finishes. He was able to get in better positions and his spacing on the offensive side was really good. Overall he was huge when we went on a couple of runs. Transition opportunities come from his blocked shots or him limiting them to just one shot. His presence was huge for us on both ends.”</p><p>These standout performances do not happen in a vacuum. Work done in training camp is starting to pay off now that Edey has seen the actions in live-game situations. The Grizzlies rookie is getting more comfortable with the NBA game with every repetition. Putting it all together for a full game, or NBA Playoffs series, is the next step towards a long, successful career.</p><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ja-Morant-Zach-Edey-Grizzlies.jpg"><figcaption>Petre Thomas-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>“Especially in a rookie season, anytime you can get success, even in small doses you keep stacking those days,” Jenkins began. “(Zach Edey) is a force on the inside offensively but also playing out on the perimeter. It’s not just the shooting it’s the playmaking and him getting comfortable in that area. It opens up different spacing opportunities for our group. We can get to the paint with an open paint.”</p><p>Everything starts on the defensive end for the 7-foot-4 rookie though. That is why Jenkins plans to throw Edey into unique looks more often. The Grizzlies need more data points on how the rookie big man will hold up in the postseason. Going against Yves Missi will make for a good film study.</p><p>“Defensively, I keep talking about the strides he is making there with physicality,” noted Jenkins. “He is guarding shooting bigs. He is making switches on guards. You know, getting through those situations is still a work in progress but he has been locked in. We’ll watch the film and try to find those momentum builders on offense and defense.”</p><p>The Zion Williamson wars with Ja Morant never panned out. That’s why everyone tuning into the Pelicans-Grizzlies matchups this season will be watching Zach Edey versus Yves Missi.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Grizzlies’ Zach Edey gets glowing starting role review before ROTY clash vs. Yves Missi

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/pelicans-news-yves-missi-making-progress-while-taking-ownership-defense-rookie');   ga('set', 'title', 'Pelicans’ Yves Missi not ‘scared to jump’ while making progress on defense');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Yves-Missi-making-a-lot-of-progress-while-taking-ownership-on-defense.jpg"></figure><h1>Pelicans’ Yves Missi not ‘scared to jump’ while making progress on defense</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-11-26T20:52:18-08:00">November 26th, 8:52pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-11-26T20:54:45-08:00">November 26th, 8:54pm</time><address><a>Chris Dodson</a>Chris Dodson is a Memphis Grizzlies beat reporter for ClutchPoints who has also covered the New Orleans Pelicans. He has covered Louisiana high school and college basketball in spurts for over a decade. A basketball lifer from the bayou, his gumbo-stirring form matches his elbow jumper celebrations. Fast enough for varsity hoops, tall enough for a soccer scholarship. He has words and will travel, just not on the court.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/pelicans-most-pleasant-surprise-early-nba-2024-25-season-yves-missi">New Orleans Pelicans have one pleasant surprise</a> to celebrate this holiday season in rookie big man Yves Missi. Willie Green has needed the 20-year-old to wise up despite only being in an organized basketball setting for less than a handful of years. Missi has done just that. The Baylor alum’s first month on an NBA regular season job schedule has gone quite well all things considered. The defensive prowess is already deterring opponents on a nightly basis while the offensive game shapes up.</p><p>Missi is averaging 7.5 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.8 blocks/steals per game while shooting 53.7% from the floor. He talked about lessons learned and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjVP8qJgeac" rel="noopener">quickly developing a reputation</a> for being a rim-protecting force to be reckoned with before facing the Toronto Raptors.</p><p>“I would say I’ve made a lot of progress in different areas like rebounding and trying to finish through contact,” Missi admitted. “There are a lot of things being thrown at me so I’m just trying to process it every time.”</p><p>Missi would not go so far as to say the offensive skills have surpassed the defensive talents but there is more of a balance after a month on the job. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/pelicans-news-cj-mccollum-first-game-back-injury-cut-corners-defense-shots-not-falling-pacers">Pelicans cannot use moral victories</a> to vault up the standings but is some value to be extracted from an injury-riddled season.</p><p>“I feel like (my offense) is getting better,” Missi replied. “I always feel like the defensive part is something I own. Every time on defense I’m trying to do the best I can. Being able to do the same thing on offense will help the team as well.”</p><p>There have been a few surprising plays from Missi lately too. The off-the-dribble moves have caught everyone off guard but it could become a go-to option late in the shot clock.</p><p>“I’ve been doing it a little,” Missi said. “I’ve been doing it obviously and I’ll get better at it. The more I do it the more I get comfortable.”</p><h2><b>Pelicans comfortable in Yves Missi’s minutes</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Yves-Missi-Pelicans-dunks.jpg"><figcaption>Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Yves Missi is already comfortable in positions other players avoid. Being on someone else’s poster is not a part of the business decision process. No one remembers the person not dunking. Everyone remembers the shot-swatting big man with no fear and an occasional Dikembe Mutombo impersonating finger wag.</p><p>“People always ask me if I’m scared to jump. If I’m going to get dunked on, then I’m going to get dunked on. Next time I’m going to block it so I don’t really care about it. I’m always trying to dunk or block it,” Missi said. “I feel like I’m the youngest so regardless I have to jump and do something. Whenever someone is going (for a shot), I have to go (defend) even if I’m late. At least try to make them miss.”</p><p>Learning how each paint patrol opponent likes to get shots up from the jump will just take time. The Pelicans should have 25 minutes a night open to let Missi experiment.</p><p>“I feel like it depends on the way people are jumping,” explained Missi. “Sometimes they are looking for the contact. So if you avoid the contact and go for the ball, you have more of a chance to block the ball. It’s just something you have to process and it depends on the step. If they go off two or one (foot). It just depends.”</p><p>The Pelicans making the NBA Play-In Tournament might depend on Missi’s development more than most expected to start the season. Willie Green <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19S4rcOOAU4" rel="noopener">sounded fine</a> with that after a road loss to the Indiana Pacers.</p><p>“Another big performance from Yves,” Green stated, “He was battling the shoulder injury the last few days, missed the Golden State Warriors game, missed practice, but showed up huge (versus the Pacers). Big time effort on both ends of the floor. The sky is the limit for him. He is such a really good young player and we just hope he can keep doing what he is doing because it is really helping us.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Pelicans’ Yves Missi not ‘scared to jump’ while making progress on defense

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/pelicans-news-yves-missi-making-early-nba-rookie-statement-willie-green');   ga('set', 'title', 'Pelicans’ Yves Missi making early Rookie of the Year statement');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Pelicans-Yves-Missi-making-early-Rookie-of-the-Year-statement.jpg"></figure><h1>Pelicans’ Yves Missi making early Rookie of the Year statement</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2024-10-31T13:33:42-07:00">October 31st, 1:33pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2024-10-31T13:33:42-07:00">October 31st, 1:33pm</time><address><a>Chris Dodson</a>Chris Dodson is a Memphis Grizzlies beat reporter for ClutchPoints who has also covered the New Orleans Pelicans. He has covered Louisiana high school and college basketball in spurts for over a decade. A basketball lifer from the bayou, his gumbo-stirring form matches his elbow jumper celebrations. Fast enough for varsity hoops, tall enough for a soccer scholarship. He has words and will travel, just not on the court.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">NBA</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/pelicans-news-dejounte-murray-catch-possible-luxury-tax-break-amid-hand-fracture-injury">New Orleans Pelicans are finding few silver linings</a> five games into the 2024-25 NBA schedule. Dejounte Murray (hand fracture) did not survive the season’s home opener unscathed. Trey Murphy III (hamstring) did not make it out of training camp ready to contribute. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/pelicans-news-zion-williamson-panic-slow-start-season-dejounte-murray-brandon-ingram">Zion Williamson’s Pelicans are not panicking</a> and a big reason why is rookie center Yves Missi.</p><p>Missi’s <a href="https://www.nba.com/stats/players/traditional?PlayerExperience=Rookie&amp;dir=A&amp;sort=MIN" rel="noopener">stats are not eye-popping</a>, granted. However, in this rookie class 6.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.8 assists with 1.8 reputation-building blocks are enough to get noticed. Those numbers would be even better if not for an 0-for-5 night against the Golden State Warriors. The Pelicans big man did take a knock to the hip/groin area though, so the ability to tough out a rough game by the team was admirable.</p><p>Wayward shots and mishandled passes can be forgiven as the former Baylor big man gets comfortable in the NBA game. Missi’s rebounding and defense are already plus attributes in Willie Green’s rotations. Missi helps the offense move, sitting second overall in the rookie class in screen assists (4.8). The Pelicans big also tops the rookie charts for two-pointers contested (6.2) per game.</p><p>Green gave Missi <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW7HzJqu-ro&amp;t=184s" rel="noopener">credit for the learning curve</a> after two back-to-back road losses to the Warriors.</p><p>“(Missi) is doing a great job. He has come in games and is a really good defender. He is blocking shots, setting screens, diving,” Green noted. “He has surprised us a little bit. It’s definitely a pleasant surprise how fast he picks up the game and his competitive spirit. He is another guy that has a bright future.”</p><p>Despite the early setbacks, the Pelicans have found a beacon of hope in Missi. The rookie center has quickly adapted to the NBA’s pace and physicality, showcasing his defensive prowess and high basketball IQ. His ability to protect the rim and contribute on both ends of the floor has <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umetfaintoA" rel="noopener">been a pleasant surprise</a> for the coaching staff and fans alike.</p><p>Those Smoothie King Center customers need some hope to cling to amid a woeful 2-3 start to the season after all, just like the rest of the roster.</p><p>“Huge bright spot for us (in training camp),” Green shared. “Yves was incredible, especially when we put him in with that starting group. He just opens the floor with his rim pressure. (He is) a lob threat. He is doing a great job of picking up all of our concepts pretty quickly.”</p><h2><b>Yves Missi panning out for Pelicans</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Pelicans-Yves-Misssi-drives.jpg"><figcaption>Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>The 2024 NBA Draft class was considered weak for years and those rookies who have stepped on the court so far have predictably struggled. Only eight first-year prospects are playing more than 20 minutes per game. Even Missi falls just short, having missed time with that hip/groin tweet on October 30 (at Warriors).</p><p>Zach Edey, Zaccharie Risacher, and Donovan Clingan were expected to log significant minutes this season. Missi, having only played organized basketball for three years before being drafted, was more of a developmental project. Well, his 12 points, seven rebounds, three blocked shots, one assist, and one steal in the 123-111 win at the Smoothie King Center looked almost easy. Arguably, Missi has more positive highlights than any drafted in the lottery spots.</p><p>The Pelicans have every reason to believe the rookie big man can replicate that production more often than not. Green explained why after winning the home opener over the Chicago Bulls.</p><p>“(Missi) has gotten better and better since we drafted him,” Green said. “We really love some of the things that he was doing. He made an adjustment in the second half. We said no more layups: ‘Every time you see a ball, go block it.’ His ability to pick up details (and) pick up execution shows when he gets out on the floor.”</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

2025-26 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
8.0	7.0	2.0	0.5	0.5

2025-26 SEASON STATS
PTS	REB	AST	BLK	STL
8.0	7.0	2.0	0.5	0.5

Yves Missi news

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