Alvin Gentry followed the lead of his team's best player in Anthony Davis on Friday night, leaving his post-game interview with reporters early following the New Orleans Pelicans' 131-122 victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It makes sense that the veteran coach would be exasperated as the Pelicans deal with the fallout from Davis' trade request not being honored before the February 7th deadline. Things were made even more complicated when the league office threatened to fine New Orleans $100,000 for every game the team decided to sit a healthy Davis, who wants to play out the remainder of the season despite his desire to continue his career elsewhere.
But it was a new development in this ongoing saga that caused Gentry's frustration to get the best of him on Thursday night. Davis left the game in the second quarter after tweaking his left shoulder while contesting a jumper. He went to the locker room shortly thereafter, and it was subsequently announced that Davis would be unavailable to return. Rather than dress and re-join his teammates on the sideline, though, cameras caught Davis leaving the Smoothie King Center early in the fourth quarter of a tight game – with agent Rich Paul by his side.
Asked if it bothered him that Davis left the game before it was finished, Gentry's tone shifted, and he refused to answer the question directly before prematurely ending the gaggle.
Alvin Gentry mentioned Anthony Davis left the building after injuring his shoulder. Asked if that bothered him, he said: “I’m going to talk about the guys who played the game. They did a great job. We found a way to win the game. That’s what’s important.” pic.twitter.com/pvvQCOq6QW
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 15, 2019
Not good.
The bright side? At least Davis wasn't seriously injured, both lowering his trade value and potentially subjecting Gentry and his players to even more questions about him that they'd rather not answer.
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