NEW ORLEANS - Pelicans coach Monty Williams says All-Star forward Anthony Davis has a mild groin strain and could play again as soon as Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers. Spencer Dinwiddie Jersey .Davis, who was hurt in the third quarter of Wednesday nights 93-85 loss to Denver, had an MRI Thursday morning. The scan revealed a grade 1 adductor strain, an injury that causes soreness from being over-stretched but which does not necessarily limit muscle function.Hes walking around, doing some stuff — nothing to break a sweat — but hes walking around normally, so well see how he feels on Friday, Williams said. If he feels up to it, were going to play him his normal minutes.Davis, who has not spoken with media since his injury, has been playing about 36 minutes per game this season. He is third in the NBA in points per game (24.3), eighth in rebounds per game (10.4) and first in blocks per game (2.9).Against Denver, he crashed to the floor late in the third quarter after a midair collision with Kenneth Faried under the basket. He remained down several minutes and then limped to the locker room with the help of team medical staff.He returned for about 8 minutes in the fourth quarter, but Williams pulled him out for most of the final minute.The only way he was going to get back on the floor is if the doctors said he wasnt going to aggravate it more, Williams said. But as I saw him getting up and down the floor, after a few minutes of playing, I didnt see the normal burst that we know A.D. brings every night.Williams said he will want to see that usual burst in pre-game warm-ups before putting Davis back in the lineup.Theres no need of putting him on the floor if he drags his leg, Williams said. I dont think that helps him at all and certainly prolongs the healing process.The Pelicans on Thursday were only 2 1/2 games out of the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with nearly half of the regular season left. They are also in the midst of what could be a pivotal stretch in which they play six of their next seven games at home, where they are 15-6.If Davis is held out against the Clippers, that would give him a minimum of four full days of rest before New Orleans following game on Monday night against Eastern Conference leader Atlanta.Generally, Williams errs on the side of giving hobbled players more rest.Ive been around for a little bit and I know when a guy really wants to play, but I also know theres a chance that if he plays and hurts himself it can hurt us going forward, Williams said. You always try to protect your guys. ... Its a tough decision. And those are the decisions I have to make to do whats best for him and our team. Brooklyn Nets Pro Shop . Jose Bautista homered for the fifth straight game in the sixth inning, following a two-out solo homer by Melky Cabrera. Edwin Encarnacion led off the seventh with a homer to tie the game 3-3 and, with two out in the seventh, Munenori Kawasaki came through with the two-out single to score pinch-runner Steve Tolleson with what proved to be the winning run. Vince Carter Jersey . But Josh Bailey scored the shootout winner to lead the Islanders to a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens in a battle of the Eastern Conferences two worst teams.TURIN, Italy -- Newly signed Juventus forward Alvaro Morata has been ruled out for 50 days with a torn ligament in his left knee. The injury occurred in training on Monday when Morata made contact with reserve goalkeeper Rubinho. Juventus announced details of the injury on Tuesday following an exam. Morata signed a five-year contract with Italian champion Juventus after aa 20 million euros ($27 million) transfer from Real Madrid was finalized over the weekend. John Williamson Jersey. The 21-year-old Morata scored 10 goals in 37 league appearances for Madrid in the past four seasons. When he returns, Morata could be a second option in Juves attack behind Carlos Tevez and fellow Spaniard Fernando Llorente. The Serie A opens on Aug. 30. ' ' '
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