Eric Gordon returns to practice for Pelicans

METAIRIE, La. (AP) New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard Eric Gordon, who has missed 21 games with a shoulder injury, has returned to practice and says he might play in Monday night's home game against Washington.

Gordon says his status against the Wizards will likely be decided shortly before tip-off, after he's had a chance to participate in a shoot around early Monday and pregame warmups that evening.

Gordon averaged 9.5 points through the first 12 games of the season before going down hard on his left shoulder during a victory at Utah on Nov. 22.

Pelicans coach Monty Williams says Gordon ''looked pretty good'', and that the seventh-year veteran's conditioning is better than he expected.

Williams says Gordon just needs to get his timing back and re-establish chemistry with his teammates.