Pelicans' Evans excited for season debut
After undergoing three right knee surgeries over the past nine months, Tyreke Evans is looking forward to his expected return to the lineup on Thursday night.
"It feels good," Evans told ESPN's Justin Verrier. "Just putting the work I've been putting in. Just having the chance to get my feet wet, for the first game. I've been working hard all summer just to get in this position from the surgery I had, (which was) a tough surgery. I'll see how I feel and see if I can go at a good rate."
Evans, who was listed Thursday morning as probable, has yet to play in an NBA game since last January, missing the final 38 contests of the 2015-16 campaign, and this first 26 games of this season.
While the 27-year-old admits that he's still not fully healthy, he's feeling much better than he did at this time last season.
"Not 100 percent, but I definitely feel way better than last year, just from after the surgeries. Dr. (Riley) Williams did a great job with the surgery. My knee is feeling way better, no pain. So that's a good sign."
After missing nearly 11 months with his latest injury, Evans says he isn't going to force his way back on the court should he experience another setback going forward.
"When I'm hurt from now on, I know if I can't go I'm not going to play," he said. "It's just the risk you have on yourself. Me getting older, learning about that, about my body, knowing when to play and when not to play - (that) has a lot to do with me now. It's my eighth year."
The 6-foot-6 guard averaged 15.2 points, 6.6 assists, and 5.2 rebounds for the Pelicans last season.