The New Orleans Pelicans are still in the playoff hunt, though just barely. Luckily, they’re getting back one of their main offensive weapons to help them with their final push. According to the team’s website, Ryan Anderson will make his return against the Los Angeles Lakers tonight.
After missing 18 games due to an MCL sprain in his right knee, Ryan Anderson will be back on the court Wednesday vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, a much-anticipated return to the lineup for a New Orleans team that’s getting closer to full strength.
This is the second-straight injury-plagued season for the Pelicans, as instrumental players like Anderson, Jrue Holiday, Eric Gordon and Anthony Davis have all missed significant time at one point or another over the past two years.
Anderson’s averaging 14 points and five rebounds and shooting 34 percent from deep – a career low mark. The Pelicans are currently 2.5 games back of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the eight seed in the Western conference, and Anderson’s offense is exactly what they need as they face the likes of the Warriors, Spurs, Grizzlies, Trail Blazers and Rockets within their final 9 games of the season. The Thunder don’t have it much easier, as they face an upcoming gauntlet of the Mavericks, Grizzlies, Rockets and Spurs, each one after the other.
The Pelicans are already nipping at the Thunder’s heels, and Anderson’s return might allow them to take a bigger bite.
