Jrue Holiday is out indefinitely for the New Orleans Pelicans after suffering a stress fracture in his right tibia.
ESPN reports Holiday suffered the injury during Wednesday night’s 102-96 home loss to Washington, though neither he nor team officials are sure when or how it occurred.
Holiday played 29 minutes against the Wizards, but shot just three of 11 in finishing with eight points, three assists, and three rebounds. In 34 games this season, the 6-foot-4 Holiday is averaging 14.3 points, 7.9 assists, and 4.2 rebounds.
The Pelicans have been hard hit by injuries in recent weeks, with Holiday now joining leading scorer Ryan Anderson (herniated disk) on the sidelines. Of the Pelicans’ top eight players entering the season, seven of them (Anthony Davis, Eric Gordon, Tyreke Evans, Greg Stiemsma, Anderson, Jason Smith, and Holiday) will have missed at least one game with an injury.
With Jrue Holiday injured, the Pelicans likely will start Brian Roberts, a second-year guard who has just three career starts. In 28 games this season, Roberts is averaging 5.7 points and 2.3 assists. Austin Rivers is expected to serve as the backup.
“It’s another opportunity for me,” Roberts told reporters in anticipation of hosting Dallas Friday night. “It’s unfortunate that Jrue is out for a little bit. But we just have to rally around and pick up the slack.”
