The New Orleans Pelicans are learning that sometimes when it rains, it pours. After missing Nikola Mirotic for much of the season, he is back out dealing with an injury to the same leg as before and it could keep him out for an extended amount of time. In speaking to the media, New Orleans head coach Alvin Gentry expressed his lack of optimism, per Andrew Lopez of NOLA.com.
Alvin Gentry said Nikola Mirotic will likely be re-evaluated in the next few days but it “could be a while with him.”
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) January 24, 2019
This news comes as Anthony Davis continues to miss games while healing from a finger injury. Davis has missed two games already and will likely miss at least two more. Set to be reevaluated on Friday, he could see a return to the court soon, but the New Orleans Pelicans are running out of time. Sitting currently in the 12th spot in the Western Conference and under .500 with a 22-26 record, the Pelicans have their work cut out for them as they navigate through injuries to push back into the playoff picture. At four games removed from the eighth seed, their margin of error is small and shrinking.
The good news for the team is that much of Mirotic’s time out could be shorter than expected as they move forward. Rising to the occasion, Jahlil Okafor has been great in his increased minutes as of late, as well. Playing over 30 minutes for the Anthony Davis-less Pelicans over the last two games, he is averaging 18.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks and reminding the league that he still has plenty of game left in him.
New Orleans definitely doesn’t want to rush anyone back that isn’t ready, but with their postseason aspirations hanging on by a thread, the sooner they can get their roster healthy, the better.
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