Already the 9.5 underdogs, the New Orleans Pelicans will likely face even bigger odds with the news that big man Derrick Favors will be out for Saturday's game against the Boston Celtics with an apparent hamstring injury, per Andrew Lopez of ESPN.

Favors, an 11-year NBA veteran, has played in 23 of the Pelicans' 39 games this season. Favors has started in 21 of those games and is putting up averages of 8.7 points and 10.0 rebounds while shooting an efficient 58.2 percent from the field.

After spending nine seasons with the Utah Jazz, New Orleans acquired the 6-foot-9 power forward through a trade in July. In exchange for Favors, the Pelicans gave up second-round picks in both 2021 and 2023.

Favors has given New Orleans a much-needed presence inside and is by far the team's leading rebounder. Injuries have hindered Favors season but the 28-year-old remains an effective option in the paint.

With Favors out, the Pelicans have called out 6-foot-5 small forward Zylan Cheatham from the Erie Bayhawks of the NBA G-League. The former Arizona State product has played in just two games this season for the Pelicans.

Favors' injury will also give rookie center Jaxson Hayes and former No. 3 overall pick Jahlil Okafor who have both been primarily used as backup big men this season.

With an exciting young core that features No. 1 overall pick Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram and Lonzo Ball, the Pelicans came into the season with fairly high expectations after losing superstar Anthony Davis.

As of now, the Pelicans are 14-25 and are second to last in the Western Conference.