Skip to content

Eric Gordon returning from 21-game absence Monday

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time since Nov. 22, the New Orleans Pelicans will have Eric Gordon in the lineup when they take on the Washington Wizards on Monday.

Gordon has been sidelined by a torn labrum in his left shoulder, an injury that cost him 21 games. While the team had listed him as a game-time decision over the weekend, Gordon said Monday that he'll be playing. 

Should Tyreke Evans be able to play through his illness, the Pelicans will finally be fully health, and not a moment too soon, sitting a game-and-a-half back of a Western Conference playoff spot. The Pelicans will still be in tough to catch the Phoenix Suns and fend off the Oklahoma City Thunder, but their odds are obviously better at full strength.

In 12 games before the injury, Gordon was averaging a career-low 9.5 points while shooting 39.8 percent from the floor. He had been mostly terrible to that point but his jumper had started rounding into form, something he'll have to hope isn't altered by the injury to his non-shooting shoulder.

When he's in a groove, Gordon is a prolific scorer at the two, but he's been unable to stay on the floor since his rookie season. Even if he doesn't miss another game this year, he'll have averaged 30.3 games lost to injury over the past six seasons.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox