Tyreke Evans Injury: Updates on Pelicans Guard's Knee and Return
 

http://blackandgold.com/images/pixel.gifNew Orleans Pelicans swingman Tyreke Evans underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday morning.

Continue for updates.

Evans' Surgery Successful

Tuesday, Oct. 20

According to the Pelicans' official release, Evans' surgery on his right knee was a success, but a timetable for his return has yet to be announced.

Evans' problem with the right knee began toward the beginning of October, when a knee contusion held him out of the Pelicans' preseason opener. According to Brett Dawson of the Advocate, Evans played in two more games. But soreness sidelined him for Saturday's game, and he went to get the knee checked out.

Evans manned the point much of last year for New Orleans, and head coach Alvin Gentry announced he would assume the same position because of Jrue Holiday's ongoing recovery from stress reactions in his right leg, per John Reid of NOLA.com. Fox Sports' Jennifer Hale reported Holiday would be limited at the beginning of the season:

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Evans was one of New Orleans' most durable players over the past two seasons, playing in 151 of 164 games. His size (6'6", 220 lbs) also gives him the versatility to play at the 2 or even 3 depending on what size lineup the Pelicans want to roll out.

It's been apparent over the first six years of his career that he can score, having averaged 16.8 points per game, but he came along nicely last season as a distributor, dishing out a career-high 6.6 assists per game.

Norris Cole might be the next man up for New Orleans at the point if Evans misses a substantial amount of time. Entering his first full season with the Pelicans after coming over halfway through 2014-15 from the Miami Heat, Cole gets a chance to show he can start in this league.

But even he might have to wait for the opportunity after suffering a high ankle sprain on Oct. 12, per Reid.

Cole didn't make much of a mark in Miami as he played behind Mario Chalmers. He was slated to stay on the bench behind Evans and Holiday in New Orleans before their respective injuries. But if Cole is unable to go at the start of the year, the recently signed veteran Nate Robinson could be thrust into heavy minutes.

As the Pelicans look to solidify their status as a playoff contender in the Western Conference, this is a perfect audition for Cole or Robinson. However, New Orleans might have to find another reliable scorer who can replace Evans to keep up with the elite teams in the conference.



Stats courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com.

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