Pelicans' Payton to have surgery on finger, out six weeks
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Pelicans say guard Elfrid Payton is scheduled for surgery to repair a fractured finger on his left hand and that his recovery is expected to take about six weeks.
Payton was injured during last Friday night’s victory over the New York Knicks, which was also his first game back in the lineup after sitting out nine contests with a sprained ankle.
Payton has played in just six of the Pelicans’ 16 games this season, averaging 9.7 points and 5.3 assists. He has played more than 15 minutes in only four games, scoring in double figures each time.
The update on Payton’s status came as the Pelicans prepared to host the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night.
