Pelicans’ Omri Casspi out 4-6 weeks with thumb injury

The New Orleans Pelicans debut of Omri Casspi didn’t pass without incident, and now he’ll be out awhile.

DeMarcus Cousins was the obvious centerpiece of last Sunday’s post All-Star Game trade between the New Orleans Pelicans and Sacramento Kings, and it was an added detail that swingman Omri Casspi was also part of the Pelicans’ return in the deal.

Both new guys made their Pelicans debut Thursday night against the Houston Rockets, in a 129-99 loss at home. Cousins had a typically productive game, with 27 points, 14 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals and 4 blocks, while Casspi added 12 points in 24 minutes of action.

But Casspi left the game with broken right thumb suffered while attempting a steal, with an extended absence virtually assured. On Friday, the Pelicans confirmed Casspi will be out for 4-6 weeks.

Even with Cousins and Anthony Davis in place as the most talented big man duo on the league, Thursday night’s loss to Houston showed the Pelicans the need for perimeter shooting and some added backcourt depth after what they sent to Sacramento in last Sunday night’s trade. Casspi’s loss heightens that need now, and though it was probably coming regardless of his health the Pelicans signed Jarrett Jack to a 10-day contract Friday morning.

Next: NBA Trade Deadline: Winners and losers

The Pelicans (23-35) currently sit 2.5 games behind the Denver Nuggets for the eighth seed in the Western Conference, with just two teams (including the Kings, coincidentally) to leap-frog, so the playoffs are a possibility. Casspi would be in line to return somewhere around the end of the regular season or the start of a hypothetical first round series, but getting to the playoffs will be a bit tougher without him.