Injuries have necessitated frequent shuffling of the New Orleans Pelicans’ starting lineup throughout the season, but one constant has been Eric Gordon, who has started a team-high 40 times in 41 games. Unfortunately for the shooting guard, he too now will need to be replaced in the first unit for an indefinite period of time.
Alvin Gentry told reporters after Tuesday’s 114-99 win over Minnesota that Gordon has sustained a fractured ring finger on his right hand. There is no timetable for his return yet.
“We’ll get more information (Wednesday) and figure out what has to be done, and go from there,” Gentry said of Gordon’s status.
Gordon leads New Orleans (14-27) in three-point makes this season (101) and has appeared in 90 consecutive regular season games, dating back to January of 2015. The injury potentially means Jrue Holiday could be shifted back into the starting lineup, but in recent instances where Tyreke Evans was unavailable, Gentry has opted to move Norris Cole into that role next to Gordon.
“I don’t know,” Holiday said not long after Tuesday’s buzzer on if his reserve role will change. “But it’s an opportunity for somebody else to step up. Obviously it stinks, because it seems like every year somebody is getting hurt (on the Pelicans’ roster), with a pretty big injury. We’re going to have to fight through adversity again.”
“It’s not something you can control,” forward Ryan Anderson said of injuries. “It happens. It’s tough. Obviously we’re really going to miss a guy like Eric out. It means guys are going to have to step up once again. Obviously prayers are with him and I hope he makes a speedy recovery.”
