Anthony Davis had a MVP moment in his team’s epic win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday night. Less than 24 hours later, his sudden absence proved just how valuable he is to the New Orleans Pelicans. After Davis skied to finish an alley-oop and took a hard fall on his shoulder that eventually sidelined him for good, the Chicago Bulls broke a second quarter tie to rout the Pelicans by a score of 107-72.
UPDATE: According to ESPN, the Pelicans said that x-rays on Davis’ right shoulder were negative. Phew!
PREVIOUSLY: Davis evened the score at 30-all with Chicago midway through the second quarter on a transition slam via a lob from Tyreke Evans. But the 6-11 gazelle’s momentum was such that he fell parallel to the ground as his hands snapped off the rim. This scary tumble was the result:
https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js
Yikes. The reactions of the Bulls’ and Pelicans’ players say it all.
This immediately reminded us of Andrew Bogut’s similar fall from 2010 (WARNING: graphic link). Fortunately for the Pelicans and basketball fans across the globe, though, Davis seemed to avoid serious injury – he played another minute immediately after the incident before leaving the game altogether with 4:16 left before halftime.
Score at the time of Davis’ exit: 35-35. Score from then on: Chicago 72, New Orleans 37.
The Pelicans nor reporters covering the team had an update on Davis’ condition after the game. This photo courtesy of the Chicago Tribune’s Teddy Greenstein offers some clarity, though:
Thibs to Anthony Davis: "Are you OK?" Davis said yes but his rt shoulder was in a sling. #bulls pic.twitter.com/cbEkxOhzOJ
— Teddy Greenstein (@TeddyGreenstein) February 8, 2015
We’re optimistic that Davis had his right shoulder in a sling simply for precautionary measures. What he reportedly told Tom Thibodeau supports that unsubstantiated belief, too.
