Alexis Ajinca Injury: Updates on Pelicans Center's Hamstring and Return
New Orleans Pelicans center Alexis Ajinca suffered a hamstring injury in the team's preseason opener that will keep him sidelined for an extended period of time.
Continue for updates
Ajinca Out 4-6 Weeks with Right Hamstring Strain
Monday, Oct. 5
The Pelicans announced the news on Ajinca through a release on their official website.
Grantland's Zach Lowe weighed in on the situation, which is even more unfortunate considering Ajinca just signed a four-year, $20.2 million contract this offseason:
He doesn't make the biggest impact on a squad that sports Anthony Davis and Omer Asik in the frontcourt. Davis can slide over to the 5 when New Orleans goes small thanks to the presence of stretch 4 Ryan Anderson, which limits Ajinca's minutes by default.
Depth is rather thin on the Pelicans' front line, though, and Davis has missed 47 games in his first three NBA seasons. Anderson also missed 21 games last season after appearing in only 22 in 2013-14.
Although he has a slender frame and isn't as intimidating as someone should be at 7'2", Ajinca has a deft shooting touch and can provide an offensive spark at center that Asik lacks. New Orleans will have to hope its big men aren't further accursed with injuries while Ajinca recovers.
