New Orleans (23-34) has been playing recently without four projected starters and with only 10 total players in uniform, but some help is on the way. Pelicans shooting guard Eric Gordon will return to action Saturday at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves, after missing the last 15 games due to a broken right ring finger.
Although Gordon is still wearing a small brace on his hand, he has been progressing and hoped to get to the point where he could play. The Pelicans need him on the court, having already lost fourth-leading scorer Tyreke Evans and projected starting small forward Quincy Pondexter to season-ending injuries.