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 ½ games ahead of the fifth-place Pelicans.
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