Tyreke Evans remains out as Pelicans visit Clippers

Tyreke Evans will not make his return to the New Orleans Pelicans' lineup Friday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

It had been reported earlier in the week that Evans would make his return on the Pels' current three-game road trip, which wraps up Saturday in Utah. Given that the team is on the front end of the difficult Pacific Time-to-Mountain Time back-to-back, it remains plausible he'll make his season debut against the Jazz.

A return would be impressive nonetheless - Evans is five weeks into his estimated six-to-eight week recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery. He averaged 16.6 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists last season, and the banged-up Pelicans could use any shot in the arm they can get, even after winning three straight going into Friday.