Early in the game,Anthony Davis was forced to exit with a left groin injury in the New Orleans Pelicans' 114-108 loss to the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena on Friday night.
Davis was injured as he battled for a rebound with Utah's Derrick Favorsunderneath the basket with 11:35 left in the game.
He remained down for several moments as trainers examined him and could not put any weight on his left leg as he was helped to the locker room.
Utah (12-11) took advantage of Davis' exit by going on a quick 10-run that gave it a 90-84 lead with 9:14 left. But New Orleans (11-11) continued to fight and it responded with a 12-0 run that ended with a 3-pointer by Darius Miller that gave the team a 96-90 lead.
The Pelicans suffered their third consecutive loss and DeMarcus Cousins led the team with 23 points, 13 rebounds and four assists. E'Twaun Moore chipped in 18 points and Rajon Rondo added 13 points, eight rebonds and 11 assists.
"I don't think it means too much for the team, but I think more importantly as one of his brothers, that's somebody we got to know these last couple months," James said. "We want, whatever he decides to do, we want the best for him. At the end of the day, you can't substitute nothing for happiness."
Derik Rose Possible Carrer Ending Injury
The Injury itself is not career ending but it is on the mental side. "We hope this ain't the end, but if it is, I was happy I got an opportunity to spend a couple months with him and watch him be the great point guard that he once was," James said. "But at the end of the day, a clearer head, there's no substitute for that." Rose left the team earlier this week to deal with what the Cavs say is a "personal matter," though it has been widely reported he's unhappy and frustrated because of yet another injury that's keeping him off the court. Rose missed his eighth straight game Friday for Cleveland -- a 100-99 win over Charlotte -- and the Cavs are 7-1 without him. He's averaging 14.3 points per game this season in his limited time as the team's starting point guard.
Coach Tyronn Lue declined to discuss the details of Rose's departure, though Lue told cleveland.com he was generally aware of why Rose was gone when he left the team. Neither Koby Altman, Cavs general manager, nor B.J. Armstrong, Rose's agent, have returned messages seeking comment.
Lue said he texted Rose to tell him he still had a place on the Cavs and expects him to return at some point. Lue didn't say it, but Rose has an $80 million endorsement deal with adidas he'd lose if he retires, according to ESPN.
