Anthony Davis apparently is much tougher than critics give him credit for being.
The New Orleans Pelicans center announced Monday he’ll miss the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro in order to recover from a pair of major surgeries, according to Sports Illustrated’s Ben Golliver. Davis will undergo surgery to treat an unspecified knee injury as well as an operation to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder.
Davis, who turned 23 earlier this month, revealed he has played through the shoulder injury for most of his professional career, according to ESPN.com’s Justin Verrier.
Davis has thrived despite the serious ailment, reaching the NBA All-Star game in each of the last three seasons and being named to the All-NBA First Team last season. He was averaging 24.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and two blocks per game before getting shut down Sunday.
Davis said the shirt he wears underneath his uniform helps him cope with the pain, according to New Orleans’ WWTV.
He expects to miss four to five months of action while recovering from the surgeries.
The Pelicans are 17 games below .500 and are all but certain to miss the NBA playoffs. New Orleans will be without Davis for the last 14 games of the regular season.
Davis was among the 30 finalists for spots on U.S. Olympic basketball team. He still can travel to Brazil this summer, but he won’t be able to provide much more than moral support to his once — and probably future — international teammates.
As for the 2016-17 NBA season, watch out for a fully healthy Davis.
Thumbnail photo via Derick E. Hingle/USA TODAY Sports Images
