Pelicans’ Dyson Daniels provides positive update on ankle injury

New Orleans Pelicans rookie Dyson Daniels is nearing a return to the court after suffering a sprained right ankle on Jan. 24 in a loss to the Denver Nuggets.

Daniels has missed the past 11 games due to the injury. He appeared to step on the foot of a defender after a layup attempt and was eventually ruled out of returning after nine minutes of action.

He was seen after that game in a walking boot and on crutches.

The Pelicans initially listed Daniels as probable to play on Thursday against Toronto in their first game back after the All-Star break. However, he has since been downgraded to questionable by the team.

Still, he appears to be close to playing again.

“It has been healing really well,” Daniels told Andrew Lopez of ESPN. “So after the All-Star break, I’m going to be back out there, hopefully, and playing again. All of the rehab and stuff has been going really well but, unfortunately, those things happen.”

Daniels has emerged as a key player this season with the Pelicans. He is averaging 4.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.5 assists on 44.5% shooting from the field in 39 games. He started six games prior to the injury and averaged 6.3 points, 4.8 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.3 steals in that span.