The New Orleans Pelicans could miss Kendrick Perkins for sometime as he undergo rehabilitation due to a right pectoral injury. The time-frame is pegged at three months, according to Adrian Wojnarowski Yahoo Sports. The veteran center sustained the injury during the Pelican's loss to the Golden State Warriors on October 31.
Perkins had played in a total of 25 minutes during the team's first two games in the current season. He averaged 5.3 points and 2.7 rebounds. At first, New Orleans did not expect him to play a major role. However, an injury to starting forward-center Omer Asik made the team move Perkins to its starting lineup.
In his 13 career seasons in the NBA, he had played for the Boston Celtics, Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers. This summer, the 30-year-old veteran signed a minimum deal with the Pelicans.
If this three-month absence turns out to be accurate, it would be another hit to the Pelicans' injury-ridden 2015 season start. New Orleans is also missing guards Tyreke Evans, Norris Cole, and forward Quincy Pondexter who are currently dealing with injuries to their right knee, left ankle, and left knee, respectively.
Early in the season, the Pelicans are considered to be one of the Western Conference's most promising teams after finishing number 8 in the last season. However, a slow start has been stifling fans' hopes. Following their most recent 121-115 defeat to the Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans already lost five straight games.
On the other hand, despite his team's losing effort, Anthony Davis managed to deliver a career-high of 43 points, 10 rebounds, and three blocks in the said Hawks matchup.
Coach Alvin Gentry Davis from power forward to center and paired forward Dante Cunningham with Luke Babbitt at the forward spots. The lineup showed promise and Davis was able to perform sensationally. In the Friday contest against Atlanta, Davis shot 14 out of 23 from the field as well as 14 for 16 from the free-throw line, as observed by Sports Illustrated. The 22-year-old also hit the only three pointer he attempted, along with adding 10 rebounds, four steals, three assists and three blocks.
However, most of the momentum that New Orleans gained in the opening quarter diminished after Atlanta's Kyle Korver delivered a 3-pointer that gave his team their first lead at 33-30. From then on, the Pelicans' defensive flaws reappeared and lingered for the rest of the match.
