Pelicans' Anthony Davis Questionable For Celtics Clash, Coach Won't Risk Forward

The Boston Celtics are on a five-game winning streak, their best of the season and a much-needed one after a poor start that saw them go 10-10 after 20 games. It was especially shocking as Brad Stevens’ side was touted as one of the favorites to progress from the Eastern Conference.

The Celtics’ recent run started with their win over the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center and they will have a chance to make it six on the trot when they face the same opponents at the TD Garden on Monday night.

Anthony Davis top-scored for the hosts on that night with 27 points and will looked upon to lead them again when they take on Kyrie Irving and co. The Pelicans power forward is very highly regarded in Boston with the team and supporters keen to see him in the green and white jersey sometime in the future.

However, according to Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry, Davis’ participation against the Celtics remains questionable after he picked up a hip injury during their win over the Detroit Pistons on Sunday. He suffered the knock following a collision with Blake Griffin in the first quarter.

The forward went off into the locker room with the medical staff and only emerged back onto the court in the second half. He played 26 minutes contributing just six points but made a valuable contribution in defense with nine rebounds and five blocks.

"It will be evaluated later," Gentry said after the game making it clear that they will not risk their main player, as quoted on UPI. "A lot of times it's the next day where the pain is. We'll have to wait and see. If he's not ready to go, we're not going to press the issue -- not less than 30 games into the season."

Julius Randle, who had 28 points, alongside Jrue Holiday, who scored 38 points on Sunday night, praised Davis’ contribution despite their main scorer managing just six points overall of which three came before the injury in the first quarter.

"He was hurt, so it took away from his aggression (on offense), but for him to have that type of impact on the defensive end, it really propelled us to the win," Randle said after the win over the Pistons.

The Celtics, meanwhile, are coming into the game following a 56-point win over the Chicago Bulls, but leading scorer Kyrie Irving managed just 13 points in their 133-76 win at the United Center. Jaylen Brown continued his form with 23 points, while center Daniel Theis was close behind with 22 points.

There were also meaningful contributions from Terry Rozier and Jayson Tatum with 15 and 18 points respectively. It was an off night for Irving, but they will be hoping he is firing on all cylinders when the Pelicans visit Boston on Monday.