Alexis Ajinca (fractured sternum) is expected to play Sunday against the Clippers.

Ajinca (fractured sternum) is expected to play Sunday against the Clippers.

Analysis:

Ajinca's return will help cushion the absences of Anthony Davis (knee, shoulder) and Ryan Anderson (groin) a little bit, but the team is still woefully shorthanded in the frontcourt. Due to Ajinca's lack of shooting range, the Pelicans can't really afford to use him on the court at the same time as Omer Asik or Kendrick Perkins very often, so the Frenchman may struggle to see more than 20 minutes in his return from injury. He's been sidelined since March 2.