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The Los Angeles Lakers are in town for their first visit of the season, and amid the Anthony Davis-LeBron James-Rich Paul triangle, the in-name-only New Orleans Pelicans superstar is not going to play.
Pelicans star Anthony Davis will sit tonight’s back to back against the Los Angeles Lakers due to rest.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 23, 2019
That’s right, the player who wishes he was elsewhere right now and who prefers to be on any other team than the Pelicans in the near future — but wants to keep playing alongside teammates deemed not good enough — will miss the contest against Los Angeles for rest purposes as the game falls on the second night of a back-to-back. To say it bluntly, this decision stinks and the optics couldn’t be any worse.
- Paul, James and the Lakers wanted to nab AD before the trade deadline.
- Los Angeles sits three games out of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
- Davis made it clear weeks ago that he wants to play in every game on the remaining schedule.
- Davis recently played in both games of the team’s last back-to-back which included 34 minutes against the Memphis Grizzlies.
According to Andrew Lopez, there was a plan already in place for Anthony Davis to sit this one out against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Re: Anthony Davis rest tonight
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) February 23, 2019
Sources tell me this was a part of the pre-approved plan. Team has been transparent with AD and the NBA regarding plan going forward. The League knew he’d be sitting tonight and was fine with it.
I’m not exactly sure why all the parties agreed to this conclusion, let alone is supposed to make anyone feel better considering the magnitude of the matchup.
Boo!!!
For more on tonight’s matchup with the Lakers, please give David’s fantastic preview a read.
Please geaux Pels!!!
Where To Watch/Listen
What: Los Angeles Lakers (29-29) at New Orleans Pelicans (26-34)
Where: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, LA
When: Saturday, February 23, 2019. 6:00 PM CST
How: FSNO, 99.5 FM WRNO