The news that Houston All-Star center Dwight Howard will make his return from injury Wednesday has been a major topic of conversation around the NBA over the past 48 hours, but New Orleans also appears to be getting healthier for tonight’s divisional matchup.
After this morning’s Pelicans shootaround, both Tyreke Evans (ankle) and Omer Asik (calf strain) indicated that they expect to play vs. the Rockets. Evans (ankle) sat out Sunday’s loss to the Clippers, while Asik was sidelined Friday at Golden State and the Clippers game.
“I’m going to give it a go,” Evans said of playing. “When I come back for (pregame), I’m going to do a little movement side to side to see how it feels. But right now I feel good.
“I’ve improved a lot. Just pushing off in the game in Phoenix (on Thursday), I twisted it. In Golden State, I wasn’t 100 percent and couldn’t get the lift I wanted to. So I sat out – I didn’t want to make it any worse. But it feels much better now.”
Asik: “I feel much better and I will probably play.”
Asked if the 7-footer needed to see any further signs to be assured that he will play, Asik said, “I don’t think so. I felt great after practice yesterday and now I feel much better.”