Norris Cole (back) will miss Wednesday's season finale against the Timberwolves, ESPN.com's Justin Verrier reports.

Cole (back) will miss Wednesday's season finale against the Timberwolves, ESPN.com's Justin Verrier reports.

Analysis:

Cole wasn't officially ruled out for the season due to his ongoing bout with back spasms, but with 19 consecutive absences heading into Wednesday, he was never expected to return. The veteran point guard is set to become a free agent this offseason, and it's uncertain if the Pelicans are interested in bringing him back, especially if Jrue Holiday (eye) and Tyreke Evans (knee) both enter the coming season at full health. Cole was at least a dependable rotation player when called upon this season for the injury-plagued Pelicans, averaging a career-high 10.6 points (on 40.5% shooting from the field) to go along with 3.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 0.8 steals, and 0.7 three-pointers across 26.6 minutes in his 45 appearances.