Blazers’ Harkless out; Pelicans’ Rondo, Mirotic available

Published

NEW ORLEANS (AP) The Portland Trail Blazers have scratched starting forward Maurice Harkless from Tuesday night's game against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Blazers coach Terry Stotts says he learned a few hours before tip-off that Harkless' left knee soreness would sideline him for a game that could hold playoff implications for both teams.

The Pelicans say guard Rajon Rondo is missing his second straight game with a sprained right wrist, while forward Nikola Mirotic is available to play after also missing last Saturday night's loss at Houston with a sore right hip flexor.

Portland arrived in New Orleans in third place in the Western Conference, but just 2 games ahead of the fifth-place Pelicans.

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