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Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts on the floor after a play during a NBA preseason game against the Houston Rockets at the LeSports Center in Beijing, China, 12 October 2016. EPA/ROLEX DELA PENA
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Pain in Beijing as Anthony Davis sprains ankle in NBA pre-season game in China

Pelicans star looks set to miss season opener

NBA (National Basketball Association)
Agence France-Presse
Agence France-Presse
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New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis sprained his right ankle in a pre-season game in Beijing on Wednesday and could reportedly miss the team’s NBA regular-season opener.

Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry confirmed after the contest, a 116-114 victory for the Houston Rockets, that Davis was hurt.

“I know it’s an ankle sprain,” Gentry told reporters in China. “Not sure what grade it is. I haven’t talked to the trainers yet.”

Basketball - NBA Global Games - New Orleans Pelicans v Houston Rockets - Beijing, China - 12/10/16. New Orleans Pelicans' Anthony Davis on the floor. REUTERS/Thomas Peter

Davis was injured when he stepped on the foot of Rockets center Nene with 6:37 left to play in the first quarter of the contest.

The 23-year-old Davis declined to comment and wore a boot on his injured foot as he departed the arena.

It’s another blow for the top pick in the 2012 draft, who had season-ending surgery in March to repair a stress reaction problem in his left knee cap and missed the final 21 games of the regular season as well as a chance to play in the Rio Olympics.

Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans reacts in pain as he injures his right ankle during a preseasons match against Houston Rockets in Beijing, China, Wednesday, Oct. 12, 2016. Davis fell to the court early in the first quarter of Wednesday's game in Beijing, the last of the NBA's two exhibitions in China. He re-entered the game briefly, but soon walked to the locker room. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

Davis also suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder last season that did not require surgery. In 61 games last season he averaged 24.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 2 blocks.

In a bid to ensure their star’s fitness, the Pelicans had been monitoring his workload during training camp and pre-season games, hoping he’d be ready to open the season on October 26 against the Denver Nuggets.

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