Following non-surgical treatment on Thursday day to address a sore, inflamed right heel, Pelicans guard JJ Redick will miss at least one week of game action, according to an Associated Press report. New Orleans will reassess the heel next week and adjust his recovery timeline accordingly.
Redick, currently on an expiring $13M deal for the season, has been floated as a possible sharpshooting addition to more playoff-ready rosters. With a 15-21 record, the Pelicans are currently the No. 11 seed in the West.
The 36-year-old Redick, who has been moved to a full-time bench role for the first time since the 2012-13 NBA season, is averaging 8.7 points per game on 40.7% field-goal shooting and 36.4% shooting from long range this season.
The AP article goes on to note that the loss of Redick, a key reserve for the Pelicans this season, will yield more minutes for young guards Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Kira Lewis Jr.
“Hopefully, they make good, smart plays, take good shots — not any added pressure on them,” New Orleans head coach Stan Van Gundy said of the players’ increased workload. “They’re just going to get opportunities.”
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