New Orleans Pelicans News: Center Kendrick Perkins to Miss 2-3 Months due to Pectoral Injury
Kendrick Perkins of the New Orleans Pelicans saw his season start on the wrong note after the center suffered a pectoral injury on a Halloween loss to the Golden State Warriors. The injury reportedly will sideline him for two to three months as he will undergo rehabilitation.
The 30-year-old actually started the first three games of the season for the Pelicans, but he hasn't been as productive as the team would expect, averaging 5.3 points and almost 3 rebounds per game. The only reason why he's in the starting lineup is because Omer Asik is still nursing a right calf strain.
New Orleans hasn't won a game in six outings and a horde of injuries is not helping their cause; point guard Norris Cole is out with a left ankle sprain, Tyreke Evans has a right knee problem, and Quincy Pondexter is also suffering from a left knee injury. The team will play at home against the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 11.
Without Asik, Perkins is expected to carry a big responsibility on the court for the Pelicans this season. The coaching staff does not hope he provides inside scoring, but his veteran presence, especially in the defensive end, will certainly help. The only other natural center in the Pelicans lineup is Frenchman Alexis Ajinca.
The 6'10" center enjoyed the best years of his career as a member of the Boston Celtics from 2004 to 2011, becoming part of the 2008 champion team with Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, and Kevin Garnett. He also became a key player for the Celtics during the 2010 NBA Finals against the Lakers, but an injury he suffered in Game 6 prevented him from playing the do-or-die Game 7, where his team lost to the eventual champion Lakers.
After a brief and unproductive stint in Cleveland, Perkins signed with the Pelicans this summer for the veteran's minimum. The NBA veteran has played 13 seasons in the league so far with Boston, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Cavaliers.
