Tyreke Evans hopes to play Saturday vs. Warriors

By: Jim Eichenhofer, Pelicans.com, @Jim_Eichenhofer

Tyreke Evans missed a big chunk of the preseason schedule with a sprained left ankle and will sit out his fifth regular season game Wednesday vs. the Houston Rockets due to the same injury. The good news is that the New Orleans Pelicans sixth man is targeting Saturday’s home game against Golden State as his potential return date from injury.

“I think I’m going to try to shoot for Saturday,” Evans said this morning at Pelicans shootaround. “It’s feeling a little better. It’s frustrating. This is the first time I’ve ever turned the same ankle twice in one year.”

Evans initially returned for the preseason finale Oct. 25, then was sidelined again in mid-December for two games. His third trip to the injury report of 2013-14 occurred after Friday’s game vs. Dallas. Evans missed Saturday’s Dallas game, as well as Monday’s loss to San Antonio.

“I think I rushed back the first time,” Evans said. “When I started playing on it, I think a little bit of clearing up needed to be done. Treatment is the only way to go, to try to get it right. I want to come back healthy.”

Evans’ most recent injury – he also was hurt Dec. 6 but was able to return in time for the Pelicans’ next game on Dec. 11 – comes at a time when New Orleans (15-22) is already without key players Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson. Watching from the sideline, Evans realizes that there are areas where the Pelicans could use his skill set, but does not want to risk another extended absence. He is the team’s fifth-leading scorer.

“It’s tough, especially the guys that went down,” Evans said of the timing of his injury. “Jrue and Ryan are a big part of the team. Ryan helped us out with spacing; Jrue did a good job of running the show. With those two down, it’s definitely tough, but it’s part of the game. We’ve just got to get better. The guys have been playing hard every night, trying to win and competing with teams. For me just watching, I definitely see a lot of things out there I can do to help. I’ve just got to keep getting treatment, and hopefully I can come back soon.”