The New Orleans Pelicans felt a taste of what the Grizzlies experienced during the 2023-24 season on the injury front last season. After the Grizzlies led the NBA with 20 different players missing time to injury that season, the Pelicans finished second in the league with 17 different players missing time to injury last season.
Zion Williamson affected the Pelicans the most with only 30 games played for the former number one overall pick, who has had an extensive injury history. His fellow draft class partner, Ja Morant, has almost just as bad of injury luck as him for the Grizzlies, which has both franchises further away from contention than they were projected to be at this point in their careers.