Pelicans' Asik will play vs. Spurs

New Orleans Pelicans center Omer Asik will play against the San Antonio Spurs Friday, according to San Antonio Express-News' Jeff MacDonald.

The 29-year-old big man has missed seven of the Pelicans' 12 games thus far due to a calf injury. Illness forced the 7-foot native of Turkey out of the team's previous game versus the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Asik will join Anthony Davis in the Pels' lineup - good news for head coach Alvin Gentry ahead of their clash with one of the Western Conference's most feared front line in Tim Duncan and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Sporting a 1-11 record, New Orleans sits at the bottom of the conference's standings.

Asik has averages of 3.4 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks through five games.