The New Orleans Pelicans are an obscenely top-heavy team but, through the first quarter of the 2017-2018 NBA season, that has worked to some degree. Of course, being fully reliant on just a few players can work when those athletes perform at the highest level and both DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis have been unbelievably good to this point in the year.
Unfortunately, the Pelicans received a scare on Friday night that could have long-lasting implications based on the severity of what is being called a groin injury to Davis.
https://twitter.com/danfavale/status/936805348802936834
As you can see above, Davis’ injury appears to be of the non-contact variety and that is slightly scary in itself. The 24-year-old is averaging 25.6 points and 11.0 rebounds per game (with a blistering 29.11 PER) on the season and, even as Cousins gets some extra shine based on his personal heroics this season, the franchise player in New Orleans remains Davis at this juncture.
For now, his status remains up in the air but Davis was almost immediately listed as doubtful to return.
Anthony Davis (left groin injury) is doubtful to return tonight at Utah
— Pelicans PR (@PelicansPR) December 2, 2017
The Pelicans can ill afford any type of lengthy ailment to one of the team’s few top-tier options and the sound you hear is everyone in New Orleans holding their collective breath in unison. Stay tuned as more information becomes available.
