Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans seemed to have avoided the worst. From a public-relations perspective, though, how the stranded superstar left his team's game on Friday night will undoubtedly put an untenable situation on even shakier ground than before.
Davis injured his left shoulder late in the second quarter against the Oklahoma City Thunder while extending his arm to contest a short jumper. He walked off the floor on his own assistance, but gingerly held his left arm to his side, ostensibly to avoid putting any further strain on his shoulder. Davis then went to the locker room, where he dressed and left the Smoothie King Center before the game was over – with agent Rich Paul by his side.
Anthony Davis leaving the SKC with Rich Paul pic.twitter.com/lUhFTfWETb
— Sharief Ishaq (@ShariefWDSU) February 15, 2019
To be clear, Davis had already been ruled out for the game's remainder when he exited the arena early in the fourth quarter. The fact he was made unavailable so quickly after suffering his injury doesn't necessarily say anything about its severity, either. The last thing the Pelicans, forced to play Davis despite his desire to play elsewhere lest they'd be fined $100,000 by the league office for every game he misses, is for the six-time All-Star worsen a minor injury by playing through pain. With Davis' trade value still liquid, they won't be taking any chances.
It's Davis' early exit and that Paul left with him that pours more fuel on this burning fire. Paul, of course, is the agent and longtime friend of LeBron James, whose Los Angeles Lakers Davis reportedly hopes to play for soon – whether via trade this summer or free agency in 2020.
New Orleans held on to beat Oklahoma City 131-122.
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