Pelicans' Asik to sit out season opener due to calf injury

The New Orleans Pelicans will take a threadbare frontcourt into their regular-season opener Tuesday.

Center Omer Asik, who's been sidelined for the past three weeks due to a calf strain and has also been dealing with back spasms, is on the Pelicans' active roster for opening night but is listed as out for the team's contest against the Golden State Warriors, according to Marc Spears of Yahoo Sports.

Asik's backup, Alexis Ajinca, will also be sidelined due to a hamstring strain, which either means Anthony Davis will slide over from his natural power forward spot and start at center, or the Pelicans will deploy Kendrick Perkins.

After an injury-marred (if modestly successful) season last year, this likely isn't the way New Orleans envisioned kicking off the 2015-16 campaign. Point guard Norris Cole, shooting guard Tyreke Evans, and swingman Quincy Pondexter will all start the season on the inactive list.