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Pelicans' Evans out Tuesday with sprained ankle

Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports

The New Orleans Pelicans' unlikely playoff push may have reached another road block, as swingman Tyreke Evans will sit out Tuesday's game against the Brooklyn Nets due to a sprained left ankle.

Evans suffered the injury during Monday's victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

The 25-year-old has probably been New Orleans' second-best player this season after Anthony Davis. He's missed only one of the injury-riddled team's first 64 games, averaging 16.8 points, 6.5 assists, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 assists while filling time at both guard positions and small forward.

Evans has been especially valuable to the Pelicans' since Jrue Holiday was sidelined by a stress reaction in his leg nearly two months ago, with Evans usually starting at point guard. He's also helped lead the team through MVP candidate Davis' latest injury absence.

The Pelicans have performed five points per 100 possessions better with Evans on the court as opposed to on the bench, according to Basketball Reference.

The Pelicans enter Tuesday's game a half-game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder in the chase for the Western Conference's eighth and final playoff spot.

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