New Orleans Pelicans: Anthony Davis Sprains Wrist Against Wizards
By Phil Watson
Anthony Davis left Monday’s preseason game against the Washington Wizards in Baltimore after injuring his wrist.
The New Orleans Pelicans announced he was questionable to return:
News from @PelicansPR: Anthony Davis (right wrist sprain) questionable to return tonight.
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 21, 2014
He did not return to the game. Davis reportedly came back to the bench with his left hand and wrist heavily wrapped. In 21 minutes, Davis had 14 points and eight rebounds on 7-of-8 shooting. He also blocked two shots. Two of those points came on this monster putback:
He left the game early in the third quarter after rebounding a Marcin Gortat miss on the defensive end.
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The fact the injury seems to be minor is cause enough for Pelicans fans to let out a huge sigh of relief.
Entering his third season in the NBA, Davis is on the radar of some analysts as a sleeper contender for the Most Valuable Player award after his strong play this summer during the FIBA World Cup as he helped lead Team USA to the gold medal.
Davis averaged 12.3 points, 6.6 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game while averaging just 20 minutes during the World Cup in Spain, shooting .549/—/.750.
During the preseason, Davis is averaging 15.8 points, seven rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 23.3 minutes per game.
But health has been an ongoing concern for Davis, who missed 18 games as a rookie in 2012-13 because of a knee injury and was out for 15 games last season after fracturing a bone in his hand.
The Pelicans close the preseason against the Dallas Mavericks at the CenturyLink Center in Bossier City, La., on Thursday night and if coach Monty Williams is wise, Davis will be in street clothes playing the position of spectator.
New Orleans blew out to a 20-point halftime lead before the Wizards rallied in the fourth period to make it close (because it’s the NBA and every team makes a rally, or so they say). The Pelicans wound up with an 88-84 win—blowing almost all of a 69-48 lead entering the final period—to improve to 4-2 in the preseason.