Skip to content

Pelicans' Gordon has separated shoulder, no timeline for return

Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports

Whenever Eric Gordon gains some momentum, fate always seems to step in.

Off to a terrible start on the season, Gordon had finally begun to round into form over his last four outings, averaging 13 points and shooting 57.1 percent from the floor. A small sample, sure, but it also portended improvement following a seven-game stretch in which he shot just 28.8 percent and averaged 7.7 points.

Then the injury gods intervened, as they've been wont to do since Gordon's sophomore season in 2009-10. The New Orleans Pelicans guard suffered a left shoulder subluxation, or a separated shoulder, in the second quarter of Saturday's game against the Utah Jazz.

There is presently no timetable for Gordon's return.

Over the last five seasons, Gordon has missed an average of 32.2 games with a variety of injuries. He's averaged 17.2 points for his career with above-average efficiency, but his inability to stay healthy has derailed his progress on multiple occasions.

The Pelicans' 6-5 start has been predicated almost entirely on the success of their top-six players, and losing Gordon would render them woefully thin - they're completely devoid of wing depth. Gordon's absence would mean extended time for Austin Rivers, John Salmons and Jimmer Fredette, with an even heavier load falling on Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans as creators. 

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox