New Orleans Pelicans forward Quincy Pondexter will undergo season-ending left knee surgery on Jan. 20 in New York, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Pondexter had yet to play this season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in the offseason, with the team recently announcing a one-to-two week return timetable for him.

New Orleans is now expected to consider several wing players for a 10-day contract, including free agent Elijah Millsap and and D-Leaguers Orlando Johnson and Bryce Dejean-Jones, sources told Yahoo. The loss of Pondexter will be a major blow to the Pelicans’ perimeter defense, which counted on his return to provide toughness and stability.

The Pelicans reacquired Pondexter in a midseason trade with the Memphis Grizzlies last season, and the 6-foot-6 swingman became an integral part of the rotation. He averaged 8.9 points and 3.1 rebounds while shooting 43.3 percent from 3-point range in 45 games for New Orleans last season.

Pondexter, 27, has played for New Orleans and Memphis over his six-year NBA career. Pondexter remains on a four-year contract extension that he signed in 2013 with the Grizzlies.