Pelicans won't rule out shutting Davis down
METAIRIE, La. — All but eliminated from playoff contention and with injuries mounting, New Orleans Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry admitted he’d be open to shutting down superstar Anthony Davis for the rest of the season.
“I wouldn’t say no to that. I wouldn’t say no to that,” Gentry said Saturday. “I think we’ve gotta be smart collectively, along with him. And like I said, I think we’ll know a lot more after they talk to the doctors today. And then I think there can be some decisions made. I think that’s something that he would definitely have to consider.”
Davis missed the second half of Friday’s 117-112 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers after banging knees with the Blazers’ C.J. McCollum while setting an off-the-ball screen for Jrue Holiday with just under two minutes to play in the second quarter. After the game, Gentry described the injury as a sore left knee and said Davis was held out as a precaution.
The Pelicans announced Davis is officially out for Sunday’s game against the Clippers.
Davis didn’t practice on Saturday and Gentry said that the team will know more after a conference call with doctors later on Saturday. Gentry also mentioned that Davis has a shoulder injury.
“I think it’s something that’s kind of been there,” Gentry said of the shoulder injury. “We’ll have a lot more information, I think, after today, after talking.”
Davis has missed seven games this season and has been removed early in five more.
The 23-year-old is averaging 24.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game for the Pelicans (25-43). He stands to make an estimated $24 million on the maximum extension he signed last offseason if he makes one of the three All-NBA teams.
Pelicans players have missed a combined 222 games because of injuries, and 228 including illnesses and personal absences. Their 33 starting lineup combinations are the most in the NBA this season.
