Pelicans' Holiday returns to court following season-ending injury

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday's recovery from a stress fracture in his right tibia has reached the point where he can return to the court. 

Holiday, who suffered the season-ending injury in January, has been cleared for contact work and is taking part in voluntary offseason drills. 

''Getting out playing has been a joy,’’ Holiday told John Reid of The Times Picayune. ''I’ve been running and jumping and stuff, but getting my rhythm back on the court is definitely a big thing right now for me.''

New Orleans were slowed by numerous injuries last season. Ryan Anderson, Jason Smith and Eric Gordon all suffered season-ending injuries in addition to Holiday. 

''I never seen anything like it (injuries) last year,'' Holiday said. ''But I don't think it stunted us. I think it made us better. I think a lot of us got time to rest and really get back to being ourselves. We made some improvements in the offseason.

''Obviously, seeing the way A.D. (in the World Cup) has been playing, that's real exciting. You see guys in here working hard trying to feed off him. Everybody wants to get to our ultimate goal.''

A healthy Holiday will be a big boost for the Pelicans offense as he averaged 14.3 points, 7.9 assists and 4.2 rebounds in 34 games last season.