NEW ORLEANS, LA – OCTOBER 31: Jrue Holiday #11 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots a free throw during the first half of a game against the Golden State Warriors at the Smoothie King Center on October 31, 2015 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

After a nine-game absence, Jrue Holiday is returning to the New Orleans Pelicans next week.

USWNT soccer star Lauren Holiday, Jrue’s wife, was recovering from successful surgery to remove a benign brain tumor. Jrue Holiday hadn’t yet played this season in the wake of that surgery. Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports reports Holiday will return next week.

It’s great to see Holiday is returning, as it likely means his wife Lauren is doing much better following the scary ordeal. Her health is obviously the biggest priority, so Holiday missing time is more than understandable.

His return should also help restart a dreadful season from the Pelicans. New Orleans, despite Anthony Davis entering straight beast mode, started 2016-17 with eight straight losses. The club’s depth has been badly exposed with Holiday gone, although Tim Frazier has done an admirable job running the point, averaging 12.3 points and 7.9 assists in nine games.

Holiday won’t bump the Pelicans from being a disaster to contenders overnight, of course. But at the very least, the team should be more competitive. The 26-year-old is an excellent distributor and scorer who should provide Davis some offensive support. Holiday averaged 16.8 points per game last season.

Let’s hope Lauren returns to full health. Jrue’s return is obviously a great sign of that.

[Bleacher Report]

About Liam McGuire

Social +Staff writer for The Comeback & Awful Announcing. Liammcguirejournalism@gmail.com