Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis sprained his left index finger against the Trailblazers. In this picture, Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans looks on during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, Jan. 9, 2019. Chris Graythen/Getty Images

The New Orleans Pelicans are currently getting a taste of what life could be without Anthony Davis, who has been linked with a move away either this summer or when he enters free agency in 2020.

The power forward sprained his left index finger during the Pelicans’ loss against the Portland Trailblazers on Friday night and missed their game on Monday night against the Memphis Grizzlies, which they won 105-85 without their key player.

It was initially reported Davis will miss 1-to-2 weeks due to the sprained finger with his agent Rich Paul revealing that a decision on whether to see a specialist will be made after evaluating the injury for three to four days.

“New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis is expected to miss 1-to-2 weeks with a left finger sprain,” The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported. “Anthony Davis will re-evaluate the injury in 3-to-4 days and decide whether he needs to see a hand specialist, quoting his agent Paul.”

It has been four days since the injury and according to Charania, Davis will see a hand specialist as they fear that it could be a fracture. If so, the power forward is expected to be sidelined for 2-to-4 weeks, which will be a major blow for the Pelicans, who are already struggling on the wrong end of the Western Conference table.

“New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis will see a hand specialist with fear of a volar plate avulsion fracture in his left index finger,” Paul told the Athletic. “If confirmed, Davis will likely miss 2-to-4 weeks.”

Davis will miss a number of games for the Pelicans and despite them winning the first game without their star player, it is likely that any chance they had of making the post-season playoffs will be extinguished if his absence stretches to four weeks.

But the forward’s absence, especially since he is favored to move on in the summer if he rejects the Pelicans supermax contract offer, could come as a blessing in disguise. The team hierarchy will be able to evaluate the rest of the squad and see what they need to add in the event of his departure or strengthen the team in order to convince him to stay

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