Pelicans' Cole out indefinitely with high ankle sprain

The New Orleans Pelicans may have somehow angered the basketball gods.

Already down a pair of centers, they'll be without backup point guard Norris Cole for an indeterminate amount of time, the team announced Monday. Cole suffered a high left ankle sprain at practice on Sunday and currently doesn't have a timetable for return. John Reid of the Times-Picayune reports that Cole could miss up to six weeks with the injury.

The Pelicans are set to enter the season with Jrue Holiday on a serious minutes restriction, so Cole's injury may necessitate keeping an extra point guard when the regular season begins. Tyreke Evans can capably play the point, but Evans and 15 minutes of Holiday may not be enough depth for new head coach Alvin Gentry to roll with.

The Pelicans have five players in camp on non-guaranteed deals, ostensibly fighting for two roster spots. With injuries at the point and center, Gentry's decision at the end of the month will be tough.

Cole signed his one-year, $3-million qualifying offer last month, meaning he'll be an unrestricted free agent after the season. He found success with the Pelicans following a deadline trade from the Miami Heat, with whom he won two NBA championships. Following the trade, Cole averaged 9.9 points and 3.2 assists while knocking down 37.8 percent of his threes.

In 302 career games over four seasons, Cole has averaged 6.6 points and 2.6 assists, shooting 41 percent from the floor and 32.6 percent from long range.