New Orleans Pelicans

Pelicans shut down Anthony Davis for rest of season, could cost him $24 million

Published Mar. 20, 2016 4:40 p.m. ET

foxsports

New Orleans Pelicans star Anthony Davis will not play another game this season, head coach Alvin Gentry announced Sunday.

The All-Star forward recently suffered a shoulder injury, prompting the team to shut him down for the final 14 games of the season to preserve his long-term health.

"We're going to shut him down. He's done for the year," head coach Alvin Gentry said during his pregame media session. "It's unfortunate, but he's got an issue with his shoulder that he's played with the whole season. It's amazing when people talk about him being soft or whatever; they don't understand that he's played through a situation with his shoulder the entire season."

In addition to the lingering shoulder issue, Davis is also batting a knee injury that he suffered during Friday's loss to Portland.

With New Orleans far from the playoff picture (25-43), it makes sense for the team to make Davis' health a priority. The 23-year-old has been been one of the few positives for the Pelicans this season, averaging 24.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.0 blocks in 61 games, and making his third All-Star appearance of his young career.

Though Davis, who signed a five-year max extension in July coming off his rookie contract, could lose out on $24 million because of this decision, due to the "Derrick Rose rule," which promises to pay players a higher percentage of the league's salary cap if he's twice been voted an All-Star starter and twice been voted All-NBA or won an MVP award. Since Davis made the All-NBA team last season, he could make an additional $24 million if he were voted All-NBA again this year. Though with Davis sitting out the final 14 games of the season, it's unlikely that he will earn All-NBA honors this year.