Redick out at least 2 weeks with hamstring strain

NEW ORLEANS — Just as the New Orleans Pelicans were becoming the healthiest they’d been all season, another injury popped up.

This time, the team will be without guard JJ Redick, who left Friday night’s game against Cleveland with a left hamstring strain. An MRI over the weekend confirmed the strain, according to a team release.

The team said Redick will be reevaluated in two weeks.

Redick, 35, was averaging 14.9 points per game and shooting 45.2% from deep, second in the NBA, this season.

Once Zion Williamson returned to the starting lineup, Redick went back to the bench to bolster the Pelicans’ second unit.

On Sunday morning, Josh Hart spoke to reporters about Redick’s importance.

“It feels good, but it definitely helps when you have JJ out there shooting 45 percent and getting 15 a game,” Hart said. “That always helps the bench out.”

The Pelicans play eight games in the next two weeks and would like to have Redick back as soon as possible for a playoff push. New Orleans entered Sunday 2.5 games back of the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth spot in the Western Conference playoff race.