Pelicans' Hawkins out 1-2 weeks with back strain
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jordan Hawkins will miss approximately one-to-two weeks after being diagnosed with a low back strain, the team announced Friday.
The 22-year-old sat out New Orleans' loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday with a back injury but returned to play 18 minutes against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday.
Hawkins has made a big second-year jump in production. He's averaging 16.3 points and 4.5 rebounds while shooting 36.5% from deep through his first eight games of the 2024-25 campaign.
New Orleans is suffering through an injury bug, with Dejounte Murray (hand), CJ McCollum (adductor), and Herbert Jones (shoulder) ruled out for multiple weeks. Former All-Star Zion Williamson has already missed three contests due to illness and a hamstring issue. He's listed as questionable on the injury report.
The Pelicans are on a three-game losing streak and sit 14th in the Western Conference with a 3-6 record. They face the Magic in Orlando on Friday.