Pelicans beat Sacramento Kings but Anthony Davis rolls ankle

The New Orleans Pelicans are enjoying a 10 game winning streak after beating Sacramento last night. However, all the concern is about one important moment.

Last night, the New Orleans Pelicans won their 10th straight game. It’s the second-longest winning streak in the NBA as of right now. The Houston Rockets are enjoying a 16 game winning streak. Still, the Pelicans displayed their usual grit last night against the lowly Kings.

The Pelicans were led by Nikola Mirotic who dropped 26 points on the Kings. Jrue Holiday added 23, Anthony Davis had 17 before turning his ankle and having to leave the game in the third quarter. After the game, Alvin Gentry spoke with the media saying that Davis will have an MRI at some point today and that more information will be provided.

The timing couldn’t be worse for Davis to sustain an injury. The Pelicans are playing some of their best basketball. So much so, that ESPN’s Max Kellerman said on First Take that Davis was literally going to be the greatest NBA player in the world beginning next season.

Davis himself said that he feels ok after last nights win, but he’ll get re-evaluated and do what the team doctors advise.

This, of course, comes after Davis left in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night. Davis took a shot in the ribs late in the second quarter. He would later return and finish out the game. If Davis does miss any time, this could prove detrimental to the Pelicans season. On Friday, New Orleans is at home against the Washington Wizards who are struggling without John Wall.

Davis has suffered an injury in some form or fashion every season that he has played. That’s not totally uncommon with NBA players, injuries are going to happen. Last season, he played in a career-high 75 game for the Pelicans. This season, Davis has been healthy for the most part, playing in 58 of the 64 games so far in the regular season.

Another reason this injury could prove disruptive for the Pelicans and Davis is the MVP narrative that is going on between Davis and James Harden. There’s no question Davis has been the MVP of the Pelicans since his first year in a Hornets uniform.

However, now the rest of the league is beginning to take notice. Sure, it stems from the notion that Davis has upped his game since the injury to DeMarcus Cousins. However, the talk on ESPN and NBA Twitter is getting louder with each passing game.

Any injury that would potentially hold Davis out for multiple games could hinder his chances at a possible MVP award. I realize that Davis cares about winning a playoff series more than an MVP award, but, I believe an MVP away validates what Pelicans fans already know.

Next: Sac-Town Gameday preview

We will know more once the news breaks about Davis’ MRI and his status for Friday’s game against the Wizards. All we can say that this point is “fingers cross for good news”.

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