NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Pelicans reserve point guard Jose Alvarado plans to play on Friday night at home against the Washington Wizards, ending a 23-game absence caused by a right hamstring strain.
“I will be playing tomorrow for sure. No doubt and I’m excited just to put the jersey back on and go out there and go hoop," Alvarado, who is officially listed as probable, said Thursday.
“It’s going to be a lot of crazy man out there again,” Alvarado continued. "I hope the city missed that. So, they’re gonna get that for sure tomorrow.”
Alvarado, 26, is in his fourth NBA season. He has played in 11 games with seven starts this season, averaging 10.7 points, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals.
He last played on Nov. 11 against Brooklyn.
The Pelicans have ruled out forward Brandon Ingram (left ankle sprain), who'll miss his 11th straight game, and power forward Zion Williamson (left hamstring strain), who'll miss his 26th straight, against Washington.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
FILE - New Orleans Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado drives to the basket during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Orlando Magic, Nov. 8, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Kansas City Chiefs were stranded at Kansas City International Airport on Saturday as an ice storm shut down operations, preventing their chartered jet from departing for their game against the Broncos on Sunday in Denver.
The Chiefs tried to move up the flight as the weather, which had been predicted all week, bared down on Kansas City. But the plane they were expected to use was delayed in arriving, so the team had to stick with its mid-afternoon departure.
The airport announced at 2:50 p.m. CDT that it had closed all flight operations due to “rapid ice accumulation.” It was unclear when the Chiefs would be able to depart, though a break was expected between the end of the icy rain that had fallen during the afternoon and a thick line of heavy snow that was expected to begin in the evening and last through Sunday.
The hope was that the airport would have time enough to clear the runways and resume operations.
The Chiefs (15-1) have clinched the No. 1 seed in the playoffs and a first-round bye, rendering their regular-season finale moot for them. But the game has significant meaning for Denver, which could clinch its own playoff berth with a win.
Earlier this week, Chiefs coach Andy Reid said he planned to rest quarterback Patrick Mahomes, meaning backup Carson Wentz will get the start. The Chiefs also declared right tackle Jawaan Taylor (knee) and running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) out, while stars such as defensive tackle Chris Jones and tight end Travis Kelce were expected to get the game off.
The Chiefs will have to wait to find out their playoff opponent. The earliest they would play in the divisional round is Jan. 18.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
In a photo released by the Kansas Highway Patrol, a car is wedged between two trucks during icy weather Saturday, Jan. 4, 2024, in Salina, Kansas. (Kansas Highway Patrol via AP)
