Yves Missi

After starting for most of his rookie season, Missi has primarily been an afterthought in his second year due to the arrival of Derik Queen. However, since the calendar flipped to 2026, the 6-foot-11 center has averaged 22.3 minutes per game. While Missi's fantasy value hasn't been great during this stretch, the increase in playing time gives him more chances to do what he did on Sunday: record a double-double with a few "stocks." Due to foul trouble, Queen (four points, four rebounds and one assist) played 17 minutes, which opened the door for Missi.

The Pelicans could be open to trade Yves Missi. Are the Lakers a realistic option?

New Orleans Pelicans (10-34, 15th in the Western Conference) vs. Houston Rockets (24-15, fifth in the Western Conference)Houston; Sunday, 7 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Trey Murphy III and the New Orleans Pelicans visit Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets in Western Conference play.The Rockets have gone 2-4 against division opponents. Houston leads the league with 49.2 rebounds per game led by Alperen Sengun averaging 9.2.The Pelicans have gone 4-24 against Western Conference opponents. New Orleans is seventh in the NBA with 12.4 offensive rebounds per game led by Yves Missi averaging 2.9.The Rockets are shooting 47.8% from the field this season, 0.8 percentage points lower than the 48.6% the Pelicans allow to opponents. The Pelicans are shooting 46.5% from the field, 0.3% higher than the 46.2% the Rockets' opponents have shot this season.The teams meet for the second time this season. The Pelicans won 133-128 in overtime in the last matchup on Dec. 19.TOP PERFORMERS: Durant is scoring 26.3 points per game with 5.4 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the Rockets. Amen Thompson is averaging 20.9 points and 8.6 rebounds while shooting 51.4% over the last 10 games.Murphy is averaging 22.2 points, 6.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals for the Pelicans. Zion Williamson is averaging 23.2 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.7 assists over the past 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Rockets: 5-5, averaging 107.5 points, 50.6 rebounds, 21.7 assists, 7.5 steals and 5.5 blocks per game while shooting 44.6% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 107.6 points per game.Pelicans: 2-8, averaging 113.3 points, 43.7 rebounds, 25.3 assists, 7.7 steals and 6.6 blocks per game while shooting 47.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 120.6 points.INJURIES: Rockets: Fred VanVleet: out for season (acl), Tari Eason: out (ankle).Pelicans: Jose Alvarado: out (oblique), Dejounte Murray: out (leg), Herbert Jones: day to day (ankle).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

After being a starter for most of his rookie season, Missi has primarily been a fantasy afterthought in 2025-26. However, Wednesday's performance was one of his best, with the Pelicans' center recording his second double-double of the season. Nine of Missi's 12 rebounds came on the offensive end, and his play affected how the playing time was distributed. While Missi played 34 minutes, starter Derik Queen (four points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block) played 16. Wednesday isn't a sign to give up on Queen, but rather a reminder to keep an eye on Missi, especially if the rookie were to go down with an injury.