New Orleans Pelicans

Alexis Ajinca hopes to play in season opener for Pelicans

Published Oct. 26, 2015 6:39 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Pelicans are thin at the center position at the moment, and with starter Omer Asik sidelined due to injury, the team is looking at having to start Kendrick Perkins on opening night against the Warriors.

That's a risky proposition, to say the least. But a bit of good news came out of Monday's practice, when backup big man Alexis Ajinca said he's feeling great and may be able to return ahead of schedule.

Ajinca averaged 6.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in 14.1 minutes per game for the Pelicans last season.

"Progress is going well," Ajinca said. "I have been practicing almost the past week and it still feel a little bit painful a couple of times but it feels better everyday. I am really hoping to be able to play a couple of minutes tomorrow. So we will see what happens but right now I feel great and can’t wait to be back."

"Basically I did a whole practice today so I just have to see tomorrow when I wake up if it is stiff or not but I am pretty sure that I will be fine so no worries on that."
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