The New Orleans Pelicans are hopeful to get starting point guard Elfrid Payton back into the lineup next week, according to Will Guillory of The Atheltic.

Elfrid Payton underwent surgery in November to address a fracture in his left pinky and he has been out ever since.

In the six games he played in before getting hurt, Elfrid Payton was averaging 9.7 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.3 assists per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the field, 42.9 percent from beyond the arc and 63.6 percent from the free-throw line.

New Orleans was 5-1 in the games that Payton appeared in. The Pelicans are just 15-20 on the year, 14th place in the Western Conference standings. While the team is averaging 116.4 points per contest, second-best in the NBA, the Pelicans' defense isn't that good right now. New Orleans is giving up 115.6 points a night, 26th in the league. The absence of Payton is a big reason why the Pelicans are struggling on defense.

Elfrid Payton has been getting up shots at practice lately, which is a really good sign. Tim Frazier has been starting at point guard while Payton has been sidelined. Frazier is averaging 4.8 points and 4.7 assists in 26 games. The Pelicans need Payton back in the lineup if they want to make a run for the postseason.