New Orleans (23-34) has been playing recently without four projected starters and with only 10 total players in uniform, but some help is on the way. Pelicans shooting guard Eric Gordon will return to action Saturday at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves, after missing the last 15 games due to a broken right ring finger.
Although Gordon is still wearing a small brace on his hand, he has been progressing and hoped to get to the point where he could play. The Pelicans need him on the court, having already lost fourth-leading scorer Tyreke Evans and projected starting small forward Quincy Pondexter to season-ending injuries. Starting center Omer Asik is also currently sidelined, with an ankle sprain.
“There is still some pain and swelling. I just wanted to get to the point where I’m able to play and be somewhat comfortable,” Gordon said after Friday’s practice in Metairie. “It’s going to take time to heal even more. It’s going to get better. I just wanted to be able to shoot and dribble without too much trouble.
“I should be fine. I’m doing things as normal, as far as catching and shooting. There won’t be many restrictions.”
In a series of events that sums up the Pelicans’ health misfortune this season, the shooting-guard role in the starting lineup was open to Bryce Dejean-Jones as a result of Gordon’s injury, but Dejean-Jones also got hurt recently. The rookie from Iowa State underwent successful surgery on his right wrist Friday morning and will be out for a timeframe to be determined. Alonzo Gee was a late fill-in starter Thursday vs. Oklahoma City, but now will be able to go back to a reserve role with Gordon returning.
Gordon had appeared in each of New Orleans’ first 41 games prior to his broken finger injury. Coincidentally, he sustained the injury against the same Timberwolves team, in the Smoothie King Center.
