New Orleans’ starting center will be back in uniform Monday – and the timing couldn’t be much better. After sitting out Saturday’s loss at Milwaukee while in health and safety protocols, Jonas Valanciunas has been cleared and returns to the court tonight vs. Utah and perennial All-Defense selection Rudy Gobert. Monday’s contest is the first of a challenging three-game homestand for New Orleans that brings the Western Conference’s three best teams to the Crescent City over a four-day span. Tuesday will be a back-to-back against Phoenix and rising Suns center Deandre Ayton, followed by a Thursday contest vs. NBA-leading Golden State.
Pelicans shootaround update: Jonas Valanciunas returns to lineup vs. Jazz
