Pelicans’ Jose Alvarado out 3 weeks, Larry Nance Jr. out 2 weeks

NEW ORLEANS(AP) — New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado will be out atleast three weeks and forward Larry Nance Jr. will miss two weeksbecause of recent injuries, the club announced Tuesday.

Thoselosses to the roster come as the Pelicans have been sliding downthe Western Conference standings with 18 losses in 25 games sincestar power forward Zion Williamson strained his righthamstring.

Alvarado, aprominent reserve and the MVP of the Rising Stars game during NBAAll-Star weekend, played 15 minutes during New Orleans’ 101-93 lossto Orlando on Monday night. He was diagnosed Tuesday with a stressreaction in his right tibia.

Nancesprained his left ankle during Saturday’s loss to the Knicks in NewYork. The Pelicans said he will be re-evaluated in two weeks.

Williamsonhad a setback shortly before the All-Star break, but the Pelicanssaid he “continues to make progress with rehabilitation” and that amore precise timeline for his return could come after medicalimaging scheduled for next week.

New Orleans(30-32) held 10th place in the Western Conference by percentagepoints over Portland (29-31) entering play Tuesday. The Pelicansvisit the Trail Blazers on Wednesday night.