NBA: Pelicans guard Gordon returns after missing 16 games

Eric Gordon #10 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots as Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat defends during the game at American Airlines Arena on December 25, 2015 in Miami, Florida.  Rob Foldy/Getty Images/AFP

New Orleans Pelicans guard Eric Gordon will return Saturday after missing 16 NBA games since breaking his right ring finger.

The 27-year-old American, a member of the 2010 US world championship team, has not played since suffering the injury to his shooting hand against Minnesota on January 19 and undergoing surgery the next day.

“There’s still a little bit of pain and swelling,” Gordon said. “I just wanted to get to a point where I’m able to be out there and play and be somewhat comfortable.”

Gordon, whose comeback game will be a home contest against Minnesota, has been working out with a small stabilizing brace on his finger.

“It’s going to take time to heal even more. It’s going to get better. I just want to be out there where I can be able to shoot and dribble without too much problems.”

Gordon played every game in the first half of the season for the Pelicans, averaging 14.9 points, 2.7 assists and 2.1 rebounds a game while shooting 37.5 percent from 3-point range.

“It gives us another floor-spacer,” said Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry. “He’s going to be rusty from the standpoint of shooting and all of that, but it will be good to just have him out there.”

At 23-34, the Pelicans are 5 1/2 games behind Houston for the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.