The New Orleans Pelicans’ promising start to the 2024-25 NBA season hit a speed bump on Friday with the news that rising star Jordan Hawkins will be out for the next 1-2 weeks with a low back strain. The injury comes as an ill-timed blow for the 22-year-old guard, who was building on an impressive rookie campaign and emerging as a focal point of the Pelicans’ young core.
After being selected 14th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft out of UConn, Hawkins quickly established himself as one of the steals of his class last season. The 6’5″ sharpshooter averaged 7.8 points per game while appearing in 67 contests as a rookie, showing flashes of the dynamic scoring ability that made him a collegiate standout.
Continuing the Momentum
Heading into this season, there were high hopes that Hawkins could take a leap and cement himself as a long-term piece alongside the likes of Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson. The early returns were promising, as he upped his scoring average to 16.3 points through the first eight games, including three starts.
However, the back issue cropped up this week, sidelining Hawkins for Monday’s loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. He returned to play a season-low 18 minutes in Wednesday’s defeat against the Cleveland Cavaliers before undergoing further evaluation.
“It’s disappointing, no doubt, but the priority is making sure Jordan gets right,” said head coach Steve Murray, according to team sources. “He’s a big part of our present and future. We’re going to be smart about this and make sure he’s 100% before putting him back out there.”
Next Man Up
With Hawkins out of the lineup, the Pelicans will need other players to step up in his absence. Veteran guard CJ McCollum, who is averaging 21.5 points per game to start the year, will likely take on an even greater scoring load. The team may also turn to Trey Murphy III and Dyson Daniels for increased minutes on the wing.
Still just 22, Hawkins has already shown the potential to be a critical piece of the Pelicans’ long-term core. His shooting, shot creation, and ability to space the floor make him an ideal fit next to New Orleans’ other young stars. The hope is that this setback is merely a minor bump in the road as he looks to build on a promising start to his NBA career.
“The kid is special – a real talent,” an anonymous scout told sources. “He’s got such a smooth game and he’s only scratching the surface. As long as he takes care of his body and puts in the work, he’s going to be a problem in this league for a long time.”
The Road Ahead
Sitting at 4-4 on the young season, the Pelicans now face the challenge of staying afloat in a competitive Western Conference without one of their top perimeter threats. A 1-2 week absence for Hawkins could mean 5-6 games missed, a not-insignificant chunk for a New Orleans squad with playoff aspirations.
The upcoming schedule includes winnable games against the Rockets, Thunder, and Kings, but also a tough back-to-back against the Nuggets and Suns. Grinding out a few victories while short-handed could go a long way in keeping the Pelicans in the thick of the postseason race until Hawkins is able to return.
Sophomore Slumps and Setbacks
For any young player, the NBA learning curve is steep. Promising rookies are always at risk of hitting the dreaded “sophomore slump” as they adjust to the sky-high expectations that come with an impressive debut season. For Hawkins, the challenge will be not letting this injury derail the positive momentum he has built.
- Staying engaged mentally with film study and learning while rehabbing
- Maintaining a positive attitude and being a supportive teammate from the sideline
- Putting in the work to come back stronger and in game shape
These are the keys for any young player dealing with injury adversity, and by all accounts, Hawkins has the makeup and drive to bounce back strong. For the Pelicans, getting their rising star back to full strength is the top priority as they chase their postseason goals.
“Injuries are part of the game, it’s all about how you respond,” said veteran teammate Garrett Temple. “Jordan has already shown his mental toughness. He’ll rehab the right way, and we’ll hold it down until he’s ready. This squad has depth and resilience.”
As the New Orleans faithful await Hawkins’ return with bated breath, the mission is clear – weather the storm, continue to build chemistry and cohesion, and position themselves for a run when their dynamic young guard is back at full strength. The future remains bright, even amidst the temporary clouds of injury uncertainty.
