Anthony Davis intensely rehabbing groin injury, eyes Monday return vs. Hawks
The Pelicans star forward Anthony Davis argued his case to play Friday night versus the LA Clippers, but New Orleans' coaches and athletic trainers intervened, concerned Davis' Grade 1 groin strain was still too tender.
Since Davis injured himself Wednesday night in the Pelicans clash with the Nuggets, he's been adhering to a strict regimen of ice to control swelling and electric stimulation therapy, at least four times a day. New Orleans' training staff is trying to direct as much blood flow to the injured area as possible.
Davis' mild strain means the muscle fibers have separated, but not nearly as severely as a full rupture.
The All Star tried to run drills Friday morning at shoot around, but was still moving awkwardly and stiffly, without his signature burst.
"He had some soreness this morning," head coach Monty Williams said. "He tried to work out, but we didn't like what we saw. I have to be his brains in a situation like this. He wants to play. The want-to was in his eyes, but the can-do is totally different."
Instead Davis spent much of Friday morning's shoot-around sitting with his left upper thigh wrapped in ice. Later, Davis moved into the pool to try and get in some sort of productive activity.
Friday evening before tipoff, Davis switched to heat therapy to test whether his muscles could properly fire.
The Pelicans are hopeful Davis could return to action Monday night at home versus the red-hot Atlanta Hawks.
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