The struggling New Orleans Pelicans will be missing the services of veteran center Kendrick Perkins, as they continue the 2015–16 season, due to a pectoral injury suffered in a loss to the Golden State Warriors on Oct. 31.
Perkins, who signed with New Orleans during the offseason, started in their first three games and was doing a great job especially in their season opener last Oct. 27 which was also against Golden State.
In that game Perkins, who was not known as a scorer, contributed 10 points with four rebounds and one assist in 16 minutes played.
This 2015–16 season, the 31-year-old is averaging 5.3 points and 2.7 rebounds in 9.3 minutes of action per contest in three games played.
According to The Times-Picayune (NOLA.com), Perkins said following their fifth consecutive defeat suffered against the Atlanta Hawks Friday that he will be out for two to three months because of the pectoral injury.
The absence of the one-time champion is a tough blow for the Pelicans who already have dealt with injuries in the position before the regular season.
Now, Perkins will be joining fellow center Omer Asik who only played once this season because of a calf injury.
Stepping up in their absence is center Alexis Ajinça, who played in all six of the Pelicans' regular season games, including two starts.
Ajinça's numbers this season are almost identical with Perkins' as he averages 5.2 points and 3.8 rebounds in 12.7 minutes played per contest.
However, Pelicans star Anthony Davis, who stands six feet 10 inches tall and is very versatile, can also play the center position at times to help Ajinça.
But so far, Davis is trying to carry the team and lead it to victory as they have suffered defeats in all their games this season.
The budding 22-year-old is averaging 25.2 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.8 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game for New Orleans this season.
Up next for the Pelicans this Tuesday will be a rematch with the last team that defeated them, the Dallas Mavericks.
