Good news for New Orleans Pelicans fans.
All-Star power forward Anthony Davis has been medically cleared for basketball activity, the team announced Friday, roughly 5 1/2 months after undergoing a procedure to correct a stress reaction and tendinopathy in his left knee. Davis scrimmaged on Wednesday for the first time since March 20, when he was ruled out for the remainder of the 2015-16 season.
And as Pelicans general manager Dell Demps told fans at a season-ticket holder event Wednesday night, Davis is expected to start the 2016-17 season with no restrictions, according to ESPN.com’s Justin Verrier.
In 61 games played last season, Davis had nearly identical numbers to his 2014-15 campaign, which saw him earn All-NBA First Team. The 23-year-old averaged 24.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and two blocks per game.
Davis was initially expected to undergo surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder as well, but his surgeon determined it was not necessary.
Regarded as one of the top big men in the NBA, Davis will have a clean bill of health when he enters next season, and that should be huge news for a Pelicans team that was ravaged by injuries last season.
