Tyreke Evans

Tyreke Evans expected to play on Tuesday for Pelicans

New Orleans Pelicans guard Tyreke Evans (knee) is expected to play on Tuesday "unless something bizarre happens," according to New Orleans coach Alvin Gentry.

What It Means:

This was the expectation after Gentry said there was a "very good chance" both he and Norris Cole would play on Tuesday against the Memphis Grizzlies. Gentry indicated that Evans will be restricted in his return to the court, similar to how the team handled Jrue Holiday's injury. Expect around 20 minutes per contest for the first couple weeks, as well as plenty of action on the wing, which would allow Ishmael Smith and his impressive start to the season to remain on the court.

Smith has been impressive based on counting numbers this season, averaging 11.9 points, 4.2 rebounds, 8.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 30.5 minutes per game, but his nERD tells another story as his -5.1 is 125th in the league. Evans played in a career-best 79 games last season. He put up 16.6 points per game with a .477 effective field goal percentage while posting a career-high 32.7 percent assist rate.