Pels' Tyreke Evans still not ready for return

The New Orleans Pelicans had opened the door slightly for Tyreke Evans to make his season debut Wednesday, but that will have to wait.

Evans will not play against the Phoenix Suns. He had been listed as a game-time decision for the contest, but the team backed away from the idea of him playing prior to tip.

A return would be impressive as the sixth-year guard is five weeks into his estimated 6-8 week recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery. Either way, he would we welcomed with open arms back to a Pelicans squad decimated by injury - especially in the backcourt.

It is expected Evans will return sometime on the team's current three-game road trip, according to NOLA.com's John Reid. After Wednesday, that leaves a back-to-back against the Clippers in Los Angeles and the Utah Jazz on Friday and Saturday.

The 26-year-old Evans averaged 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists last season.