Jrue Holiday is expected to return to the New Orleans Pelicans next week, as confirmed by ESPN.

And the Pelicans could use his help, considering they're a dismal 1-8 early into this season.

But while Holiday's play should be a big help on the court, it's his off-the-court assist to his wife that makes his return extra special.

The 26-year-old point guard has been out indefinitely this season because he was tending to his wife, Lauren Holiday,  the 2015 World Cup-winning U.S. women's national soccer team star, helping her recover from a benign brain tumor removal surgery. According to The Times Picayune, Holiday's surgery took place in October and was successful.

"My family comes before basketball," Holiday told The Times Picayune in September about taking time off the court to help his wife recover. ''I'm obviously blessed to play this game and be in position I am in, but my wife is the important thing in the world to me. She comes before anything else."

That same month in September, before her surgery, Lauren and Jrue welcomed their daughter, Jrue Tyler Holiday, into this world, as confirmed by the NBA guard's agent, Jason Glushon, to The Times Picayune.

"In September, Lauren Holiday gave birth to Jrue Tyler Holiday. She weighed six pounds, four ounces. She is healthy and at home with her family," Glushon told the newspaper last month, following the delivery and successful surgery. "In October, Lauren Holiday underwent surgery at Duke University Hospital to remove a brain tumor. She will continue to recover in North Carolina with her husband, Jrue, and daughter, Jrue Tyler. During this time, we ask that you respect the family's privacy and keep them in your thoughts and prayers."

Heartfelt story to say the least. So much for Jrue and his wife to be happy about.

Here's a picture of the loving couple before the storm.

Jrue and Lauren met at a UCLA women's basketball game back in his freshman year in 2008, before marrying in the summer of 2013, as reported by ESPN.

Back on the court, Holiday's play is needed, as he averaged 16.8 points, six assists, three rebounds and 1.4 steals per game last season.

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