New Orleans Pelicans’ Anthony Davis To Have Shoulder Surgery, Miss Rest Of Season

After battling different injuries for much of the season, New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis will miss the last 14 games of the 2015-16 NBA season in order to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder. Head coach Alvin Gentry dismisses the notion that Davis is injury-prone as he says that the former Kentucky star has been battling the injury for awhile.

“It’s amazing when people talk about him being soft or whatever, they don’t understand that he’s played through a situation with his shoulder the entire season (since November),” Gentry said. “He has an issue with his knee that we’re going to get corrected. I think for us, we have to look at things long term, and I think we have to look at what’s best for the future of our franchise. For that reason, he won’t play anymore this season.”

ESPN staff writer Justin Verrier, who covers the Pelicans, tweeted out this morning that Davis has actually been dealing with the shoulder injury for even longer.

Anthony Davis says he’s played through a torn labrum for three years

— Justin Verrier (@JustinVerrier) March 21, 2016

According to Verrier, doctors told Davis that he would need to get the shoulder repaired at some point. When he tweaked his knee on Friday against Portland, he found out that he would need a small procedure on the knee so he decided now was the time to have to shoulder fixed as well.

As far as recovery time, Verrier tweeted that the plan is for Davis to be back in time for the 2016-17 opener.

Davis estimated his recovery time for the shoulder at 4-5 months. Wouldn’t say he’d be back by training camp but 100% for next season

— Justin Verrier (@JustinVerrier) March 21, 2016