The New Orleans Pelicans’ playoff aspirations are effectively over, but there’s no reason to believe their long-term future is any less bright. After Anthony Davis left last night’s victory over the Miami Heat with a re-injured right shoulder, the team announced today that its 21 year-old superstar suffered no structural damage and will be sidelined for one-to-two weeks of play.
Via Pelicans.com:
The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that forward Anthony Davis has been diagnosed with a right shoulder sprain. An MRI conducted by the team’s medical staff this morning confirmed the right shoulder sprain. The injury occurred at the 3:38 mark of the first quarter in last night’s game against the Miami HEAT. He is expected to miss 1-2 weeks.
Phew.
The circumstances of Davis’ latest setback made it easy to assume the worst. He originally injured his right shoulder after a hard fall against the Chicago Bulls on February 7, subsequently sitting out of New Orleans’ next two contests in addition to the All-Star Game. He returned to the lineup on Friday in the Pelicans’ loss to the Orlando Magic, but clearly wasn’t himself.
Less than 24 hours later, he aggravated the initial injury after taking this hard hit from Miami’s Hassan Whiteside:
At 28-27, New Orleans is only two and-a-half games back of the Oklahoma City Thunder for eighth in the Western Conference. Considering the Thunder’s recent play coupled with the coming absence of Davis and Ryan Anderson, though, the Pellies’ early season hopes of a surprising playoff berth are all but officially over.
As long as Davis fully recovers from this minor injury, however, their prospects for next season remain as promising as ever.
