The New Orleans Pelicans host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, and starting point guard Elfrid Payton will make his much-anticipated return to the lineup.

Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry told reporters pregame that Elfrid Payton will play against the Timberwolves after missing 22 straight games.

Payton underwent surgery in November to address a fracture in his left pinky.

Elfrid Payton has only played in six games this season. He was averaging 9.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game before going down with the pinky injury while shooting 47.1 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from beyond the arc and 63.6 percent from the free-throw line.

The Pelicans are 5-1 in the games in which Payton has played in this year.

New Orleans is just 16-21 on the season, 14th place in the Western Conference standings. The return of Payton will help the team on the defensive end, as the 6-foot-4 guard is a rugged defender who makes things difficult on opposing point guards.

The Pelicans' rotation will be more sound as well with Payton back. Tim Frazier has been starting at point guard while Payton has been out. Now, Frazier can go back to his bench role and focus on scoring.

New Orleans is coming off a 108-104 loss to the Houston Rockets. They are looking to end 2018 on a high note.