The New Orleans Pelicans have faced criticism from former guard Dyson Daniels, now with the Atlanta Hawks, who bluntly referred to his former team as “cursed.” Daniels’ remarks, shared during an interview with NBA insider Jake Fischer, highlighted the Pelicans’ long-standing injury troubles, which have derailed the team’s aspirations season after season.
“That organization’s cursed,” Daniels said. “Every year there’s something new. I’m happy I’m not there anymore.” His comments bring to light a concerning pattern that has haunted the franchise for years.
Daniels elaborated on his own health struggles during his two seasons with the Pelicans, where he suffered multiple ankle injuries. Reflecting on the team’s broader injury history, he added, “They got hamstrings. They got knees. They got concussions and stuff as well. They get everything down there. I don’t know what it is.
Playing hard, I guess?” His claims are underscored by the ongoing absence of key players like Zion Williamson, who has missed a significant chunk of his career due to injuries, and Brandon Ingram, who has struggled to stay on the court in recent years. The Pelicans’ current roster remains depleted, with several players, including Jose Alvarado and Jordan Hawkins, sidelined indefinitely.
This relentless stream of injuries has left the Pelicans floundering at the bottom of the Western Conference standings with a dismal 5-21 record. Despite the immense potential of their core players, the inability to maintain consistent health has turned promising seasons into frustrating campaigns.
As Daniels enjoys a fresh start in Atlanta, his comments raise broader questions about whether the Pelicans’ struggles stem from bad luck, organizational mismanagement, or perhaps, as he suggests, a curse. For New Orleans fans, hope remains that the team can turn their fortunes around before the window of opportunity closes on their talented but often unavailable roster.
