Pelicans' Anthony Davis: Will play Thursday

Davis (ankle) has been cleared to play in Thursday's preseason finale against the Magic, John Reid of the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports.

Analysis:

The Pelicans upgraded Davis to probable for the game Wednesday and gave him the green light to suit up Thursday after he made it through shootaround without incident. While Davis once looked in jeopardy of missing the Oct. 26 regular-season opener, he recovered from the ankle injury quicker than anticipated, and his placement in the lineup for the exhibition contest suggests the team isn't worried about the possibility of him suffering a setback. That said, it wouldn't be surprising if the coach Alvin Gentry was conservative with the superstar in his return just to be on the safe side.