The Utah Jazz are set to take on the New Orleans Pelicans this weekend after Anthony Davis was forced out early in back-to-back games.
Outside of the Houston Rockets, there may not be a team in the NBA as hot as the Utah Jazz. After beating the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday, the Jazz have now won 16 of their last 18 games and are zeroing in on a playoff spot in the Western Conference. To that end, they could be getting some unexpected help this weekend.
The Jazz band is set to take on Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans — currently No. 4 in the West and themselves winners of 10 straight games — on Sunday. However, Davis may be out of commission for the bout.
AD was an early exit from the Pelicans’ most recent game, a114-101 win over the Sacramento Kings, due to an ankle injury. Said injury occurred in the third quarter when Davis landed on the foot of former Jazzman Kosta Koufos while corralling a rebound underneath the hoop.
It was the second time in as many games that he was forced out of action before the final buzzer. Davis left NOLA’s previous contest with a rib injury.
MRI results on New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis’ left ankle revealed a sprain, league source tells ESPN. He’s day to day and doubtful for Friday game.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) March 8, 2018
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According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, MRI results on Thursday confirmed a left ankle sprain. Davis’ status will be re-evaluated on a day-to-day basis. However, he’s currently considered doubtful to play in the Pels’ next game on Friday.
Now, it goes without saying that you never root for a player to get injured; and Jazz fans are undoubtedly looking forward to the battle between Davis and Rudy Gobert down low. Nevertheless, it will be a big-time break for Utah if Davis can’t go.
And in a playoff race this tight, you take help where you can get it. The Jazz (35-30) are currently just 3½ games behind the Pels (38-26) in the standings. Utah holds a 2-1 advantage in the season series.
Since the Pels lost their other All-Star big, DeMarcus Cousins, to a ruptured Achilles, Davis has taken his game to another level and inserted himself into the MVP conversation. In the17 games since Cousins went down, AD is averaging 33 points and 13 rebounds per game.
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It’s not expected, but if Davis misses extended time, that could create the opening the Jazz need to solidify a playoff spot.
Before squaring off with New Orleans, the Jazz will face the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday.