New Orleans Pelicans

Jrue Holiday reportedly 'rarely' practices with Pelicans

Published Nov. 19, 2015 1:01 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Pelicans are off to a disastrous start to the season, and injury issues are the primary reason why.

Jrue Holiday has been healthy, but remains on a minutes restriction after undergoing surgery for a lower leg injury over the summer. He hasn't been cleared to play in back-to-back games, so he was out for Wednesday's loss to OKC -- all of which makes this report from SI's Chris Mannix a little less surprising.

This is more an indication of New Orleans being cautious than it is of Holiday still suffering from the injury's lingering effects, but it does illustrate the problems the team is having with fielding a fully-healthy squad.

At his best—and let’s define ‘12-13, Holiday’s lone All-Star season in Philadelphia, as his best—Holiday can be an impact player. But a leg injury has dogged Holiday since being traded from Philly in 2013, limiting him to 74 games combined the last two seasons. And though he was ready on opening night, Holiday still rarely practices, per league sources, and is on a 20-25 per game minutes restriction.