Pelicans activate Hill for first time this season

Published

NEW ORLEANS (AP) The New Orleans Pelicans say forward Solomon Hill is available to play for the first time this season against the Boston Celtics on Sunday night.

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry says he intends to play Hill, a former starter, in a reserve role and that his playing time in his initial games back from his hamstring tear will be ''obviously very, very limited.''

Hill tore his left hamstring last summer. The injury has required surgery in August.

Last season was the 27-year-old Hill's fourth in the NBA and first in New Orleans. He averaged 7 points and 3.8 rebounds in a starting role. While his statistical production was not exceptional, Gentry and Pelicans general manager Alvin Gentry have both been very complimentary Hill's talent as a wing defender.

Now Hill returns as the Pelicans try to cling to one of the Western Conference's final playoff spots.

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