Pelica Debrief
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What Nikola Mirotic’s injury means for the New Orleans Pelicans

By Ethan Krieger

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 09: Nikola Mirotic #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Smoothie King Center on January 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 09: Nikola Mirotic #3 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Smoothie King Center on January 09, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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The New Orleans Pelicans are reaching the make-or-break point of the 2018-2019 season. Because of this, Nikola Mirotic’s most recent injury is coming at one of the worst possible times for the team.

After finally returning earlier this month from a 12 game absence, New Orleans Pelicans forward Nikola Mirotic will be sidelined once again for at least another week or two. The injury is a strained right calf, and while the severity of this ailment seems pretty minor, the timing is unfortunate, to say the least.

The Pelicans are on the outside looking in of the playoff race in the Western Conference, but not all hope is lost. The 8th seeded Los Angeles Clippers are 4.5 games ahead of the 12th seeded Pelicans, and while that’s not exactly a small lead, it’s still definitely within striking distance if the Pellies are able to go on a run in the near future. Anthony Davis’ finger injury sounds like it ended up being much less severe than initially thought, and he’s expected to be back as early as next week to continue his monster season. Starting guard E’Twaun Moore is expected to resume action next game after being rested last night in Game 2 of a back-to-back to nurse some minor injuries. Likewise, fellow starter Julius Randle has been dealing with a nagging ankle injury for a while now and was held out last night against the Thunder, but he should be back in the lineup soon as well.

It seemed like the Pelicans were close to finally having their starting lineup close to full strength before we learned about this new injury to Mirotic.

Clearly, the bigger deal for the Pelicans will be getting Anthony Davis back into the rotation soon, but Niko’s importance to this team should not be overlooked. He’s one of the top scorers on the team, and the Pelicans will need all the firepower they can get to try to climb back up the Western Conference. He’s also sneakily one of the best rebounders on the team as well. Definite all-star Anthony Davis and possible all-star Jrue Holiday are undoubtedly the most important pieces for the team, but role players and depth are what make the difference in the West where most of the top teams have prolific superstars as well.

The next five matchups for the Pelicans are all against current playoff teams, and these are all games Mirotic will most likely miss if his injury timetable is accurate. The games include two against DeMar DeRozan and the San Antonio Spurs, one on the road in Houston against James Harden and the Rockets, one against the currently 2nd seeded Denver Nuggets, and a tough game against the Victor Oladipo-less, but still dangerous Indiana Pacers.

All of these games could prove difficult to win, and if the Pelicans can’t find a way to notch several victories in this stretch, the road to the playoffs gets even tougher. Clearly, Mirotic’s play on the court could definitely be used in these games and as the Pelicans look to make a playoff push, so here’s to hoping he returns sooner rather than later.

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