Kofi Inkoom
Naji Marshall, the forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, has had a setback to commence the 2023/24 season due to a bone bruise in his right knee.
The 25-year-old has received medical clearance to intensify his rehabilitation efforts and will undergo reevaluation in approximately two weeks, as announced by the team in an official statement.
Marshall suffered a knee hyperextension during a preseason match on October 14. Subsequent MRI scans revealed that this hyperextension had led to a bone bruise.
Standing at 6’7″ and hailing from Xavier University, Marshall was a consistent presence in the Pelicans’ rotation last season, posting averages of 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.5 assists across 77 games, including 21 starts, with an average playing time of 23.3 minutes.
His reputation primarily stems from his ability to bring enthusiasm, passion, and strong defensive skills to the team.
The Pelicans have had a strong start to the season with a 2-0 record and are set to play eight games over the next two weeks.
If Marshall, who is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, can make his return on November 14 against Dallas, he will have missed a total of 10 games due to this injury.