Pelicans lose another key player to injury

Alvarado becomes the sixth key player on the Pelicans roster to be sidelined with an injury so far this season. 

Shooting guards Dejounte Murray (hand) and CJ McCollum (right adductor strain) have missed multiple games already. Small forward Herbert Jones has been out of action since suffering a right shoulder strain and a small low-grade partial thickness tear in his rotator cuff. 

Guard Jordan Hawkins is out with a low back strain, while power forward Zion Williamson is sidelined indefinitely with a left hamstring strain.

While Alvarado has only averaged 10.7 points per game this season, which is eighth on the team, he has had some bright spots. Alvarado posted 27 points, two rebounds, five assists and three steals against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Nov. 6 and followed that performance up with 21 points, five rebounds, five assists and three steals against the Orlando Magic two nights later.

Alvarado is also shooting an impressive 40 percent from behind the arc, highlighted by a perfect 7-of-7 night against the Cavaliers.

With four of the team's top five scorers sidelined due to injuries and Alvarado out after his impressive performances lately, the 3-8 Pelicans are going to have to rely on their bench as they await the return of their key players.