After a six-week absence, Eric Gordon will return to action Monday against Washington (7 p.m., Fox Sports New Orleans). The news isn’t as positive on one of the New Orleans Pelicans’ other key wing players, however. Tyreke Evans is being listed as questionable due to illness.
Gordon told reporters after shootaround this morning that he will play tonight. Although Monty Williams was non-committal Sunday about whether Gordon would start or come off the bench in his return game, the 6-foot-3 shooting guard was told he’ll be in the first unit. If Evans is unable to play, the Pelicans would have the option of keeping Luke Babbitt at small forward and slotting Gordon into Evans’ vacated spot at shooting guard, but that’s uncertain. Williams will speak to the media at 5:15 p.m. prior to tonight’s game.
“I’m excited to get back out there and look forward to trying to get a win,” Gordon said. “I’m ready to go. It’s all about winning for me. I’m not trying to be a stat-stuffer or do this and that. Whatever it takes to win games, that’s what I’m here to do.”
Gordon said he’s relieved that his rehabilitation from his left shoulder injury has concluded, noting that it was more difficult than if he had simply been practicing with his Pelicans teammates.
“It was a lot,” Gordon said. “But it’s been good and everything is working out well. I’m just hoping to finish out the rest of the season without dealing with too many hits to my shoulder or whatnot.”
The Indiana University product does not think there will be any minute restrictions on him Monday.
“That’s up to Coach (Williams),” Gordon said. “But I think I’m going to play normal (minutes), play as much as I can, as long as I can.”