Davis exits game vs. Thunder with shoulder injury

Anthony Davis missed the second half of New Orleans’ game against Oklahoma City on Thursday night with what the Pelicans said was a left shoulder injury.

It is unclear how the injury might affect Davis’ availability for this weekend’s NBA All-Star festivities. ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne reported that an MRI merely showed a muscle contusion, but “nothing too bad.” Per Shelburne, Davis will head to Charlotte for NBA All-Star 2019 and get treatment on his shoulder over the next few days. Davis will then see how he feels before deciding about playing in Sunday’s All-Star Game.

On Friday, Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes reported that Davis plans to play Sunday, but it will depend on how his body responds to treatment of the injury.

Yahoo Sources: New Orleans star Anthony Davis (shoulder) still plans to play in Sunday’s All-Star game but it’s dependent on how he responds to treatment in coming days.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) February 15, 2019

Davis was selected for the All-Star Game for the sixth straight season. But if he plays, he’ll represent a team he has no plans to remain with long term. He was selected to play on Team LeBron in the 2019 NBA All-Star Game (Feb. 17, 8 ET on TNT). According to NBA rules, when an All-Star is unable to participate, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shall choose a replacement from the same conference as the player who is being replaced.

Davis announced on Jan. 28 that he won’t sign an extension with New Orleans and wants to be traded to a contending team. However, he was not traded by the Feb. 7 deadline for this season.

Davis was in the starting lineup against the Thunder and played 16 minutes during the first half. He scored 14 points, grabbed four rebounds, assisted on two baskets and blocked a shot in 16 minutes on the court. His performance helped New Orleans take a 66-63 lead into halftime. But in the final seconds of the half, Davis fouled Nerlens Noel while trying to block the Thunder forward’s shot with his left hand.

As Davis walked to the locker room for halftime, he appeared to keep his left arm still while his right arm swayed normally.

Davis did not emerge from the locker room to start the second half and the club announced his injury status shortly afterward. Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry declined to address his reaction to Davis’ departure.

Alvin Gentry has had enough on questions about Anthony Davis. pic.twitter.com/o1QfoJjyQv

— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 15, 2019

“To tell you the truth, this whole thing has been a dumpster fire,” Gentry said, alluding to the effect Davis’ trade demand has had on the rest of the team. “It’s hard for guys to go through what they’ve been through, and to be able to come out and beat a team of that quality, I’m happy for all the guys.”

Davis has averaged 28.5 points and 13.1 rebounds this season.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.