New Orleans Pelicans guard/forward Tyreke Evans has missed each of his team’s three preseason games due to a left hamstring strain he aggravated days before training camp, but Evans he hopes to be back on the court soon. After working with coaches at the Metairie practice facility Sunday, the five-year NBA veteran said he hopes to play in at least two of New Orleans’ four remaining preseason games. The earliest he could be available is Thursday vs. Oklahoma City at the Smoothie King Center.
“I feel much better,” Evans said. “When I make a move, I don’t feel anything pulling too badly. The hamstring is tricky; some days it’s good, some days it isn’t. I’ve been doing a good job of icing it and getting my rehab in.”
The Pelicans (1-2 in preseason) will have three exhibition games remaining on their schedule after Tuesday’s home tilt vs. Houston. After this week, New Orleans plays in Baltimore against the Wizards on Oct. 20, followed by an Oct. 23 game in Bossier City vs. the Mavericks.
“Maybe Oklahoma City,” Evans said, when asked which game he is targeting for his preseason debut. “If not, Washington. (I want to) try to at least get two preseason games in, get my wind going and ready for opening night.
With the Oct. 28 regular season opener against Orlando just over two weeks away, Evans has been making steady progress lately. His initial projected time sidelined by the injury was 3-5 weeks, but he had been hopeful to reach the earlier timeframe.
“It feels good,” Evans said. “There is no odd pain. Everything feels good.”
The versatile wing practiced for the first time Saturday, though it was a lighter day with no contact.
“He did look good in practice (Saturday), but we didn’t (do) contact,” Pelicans Coach Monty Williams said. “We went hard, but not a lot of contact. I think he needs to scrimmage a few times, and if he can do that, then we can make an assessment (on his return). We’re going to scrimmage (Monday). If he’s able to do that – I’m not sure he will be – then we can make a better assessment after that.”