Davis to undergo surgeries on knee and shoulder, Olympics in doubt
Anthony Davis will undergo surgery on both his left knee and left shoulder, the New Orleans Pelicans announced Sunday after shutting him down for the rest of the season due to the injuries earlier in the day.
Davis has a torn left labrum, something Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry had hinted at to reporters.
"It's amazing when people talk about him being soft or whatever," Gentry said earlier Sunday. "They don't understand that he's played through a situation with his shoulder the entire season."
The news is as bad as it gets for Davis and the Pelicans, who are certain to miss the playoffs this season.
Davis left the Pelicans' loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night with a left knee injury that appeared to be caused by a collision with Portland's C.J. McCollum and teammate Jrue Holiday while Davis was setting a screen.
Asked if Davis' injury would prevent him from playing for the United States in the Summer Olympics, Gentry responded, ''That I don't know, but if I was a betting man, probably so.''
Davis, a fourth-year pro who turned 23 this month, has embraced opportunities to represent the United States in international competitions. He was a reserve for the U.S. team that won the gold medal at the London Games in 2012. When Team USA won the 2014 FIBA World Cup, Davis emerged as one of its top players, ranking third on the team in scoring with 12.3 points per game, second in rebounds with 6.6, and first in blocks with 2.1.
- With files from The Associated Press