Sources: Pelicans believe Anthony Davis will return for season opener

ByRamona Shelburne and Marc Stein ESPN logo
Wednesday, October 19, 2016

The New Orleans Pelicans believe star forward Anthony Davis will be ready to return from an ankle injury in time for opening night on Oct. 26, according to league sources.

Sources told ESPN.com that the Pelicans are planning for Davis to be in the lineup for their regular-season opener in Denver and are leaning toward giving him a test run in Thursday night's preseason finale against the Magic.

Davis, sources said, went through a practice Wednesday in Orlando without any issues.

The three-time All-Star suffered a sprained right ankle during the Pelicans' recent preseason trip to China. Davis has averaged 20.8 points, 9.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocked shots through his first four NBA seasons.