AP Source: Pelicans' Holiday plans return to club next week

NEW ORLEANS (AP) A person familiar with the situation says New Orleans Pelicans starting point guard Jrue Holiday plans to end his leave of absence next week and rejoin the team prepared to play immediately.

The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Friday because there has been no official announcement about Holiday's return, which was first reported by ESPN.

The Pelicans announced this past summer that Holiday would take indefinite leave because his wife, Lauren, was pregnant and in need of brain surgery on a benign tumor.

Lauren Holiday, a retired international soccer star, gave birth in late September and had surgery last month.

The Pelicans, who host the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night, have lost eight of their first nine regular-season games.