Heading into the 2025-2026 season, there was hype surrounding the New Orleans Pelicans signing three-time NBA champion Kevon Looney. Looney was expected to bring a veteran voice, elite rebounding and screening, as well as help establish a culture among this young group. Unfortunately, he was injured during the preseason and has watched from the sidelines for the Pelicans’ first four games, and his absence from the field has been palpable.
As I mentioned, one of the biggest things Looney was brought in for was recovery, which has been perhaps the team’s biggest problem to start the season. New Orleans ranks second in defensive rebounds per game and gives up the third most offensive rebounds per game.
This recurring struggle has played a major role in the team starting this season winless through its first four games. The Pelicans’ opponents purposefully plan their games around these recurring issues, while opposing coaches emphasize hitting the glass hard when playing New Orleans.
If Looney were in New Orleans’ lineup, teams wouldn’t be able to take advantage of him on the glass. Over the past three seasons, he has ranked in the 78th percentile among majors in defensive rebound percentage. Glass cleaning statistics.
Looney’s return can’t come soon enough
The Pelicans are falling apart early in this season and are in desperate need of a lifeline. Looney’s return could be the lifeline, but it may come too late. His return is expected to happen within next week, but by then the Pelicans’ season could be out of reach.
With the next four games against the LA Clippers, reigning NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, Charlotte Hornets and Dallas Mavericks, there is a reality where the team could fall to 0-8. If that happens, the chances of the Pelicans digging themselves out of that hole and becoming a playoff team, even if Looney returns, are extremely slim.
Initially, I thought seeing Looney with an injury wasn’t as bad as most people think. The team still had Derik Queen and Yves Missi, two young talents with a lot of potential, but we see neither of them even coming close to the threat that Looney can be on the glass.
Once again, it feels like the Pelicans organization and fans are among the unhappiest in all of professional sports. Year in and year out, this team continues to see the injury bug crush all the hype they built up in the offseason.
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