After missing two games because of a bruised back, New Orleans Pelicans All-Star forward Anthony Davis returned last Wednesday as they defeated the Sacramento Kings, 109–97, to end a four-game losing slump.
Davis suffered a bruised back while trying to save a loose ball in Friday's defeat to the Indiana Pacers.
After injuring the back in the matchup with Indiana, Davis missed their next two games versus the Los Angeles Clippers and Los Angeles Lakers, contests that New Orleans also failed to win.
But the Pelicans got their leading scorer and rebounder back on Wednesday and Davis did not disappoint, tallying 24 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two steals in a team-leading 37 minutes played.
"He's our best player, our go-to guy. We rely a lot on him. We have extra confidence when he's in there," Pelicans forward Ryan Anderson, who finished with 18 points, said about Davis, according to ESPN.
Along with Davis and Anderson, guards Eric Gordon and Norris Cole also shone for the Pelicans, scoring 24 and 18 points, respectively, off the bench.
Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry was pleased with the win and cited their good ball movement during the game.
The win improved the Pelicans' record to 12–26 and are no longer second to the last in the Western Conference standings.
New Orleans moved to the 13th spot in the conference and is now on top of the Minnesota Timberwolves (12–28) and the Los Angeles Lakers (9–31).
It is still a far-fetched goal to reach the top eight in the West for the Pelicans, but that became more realistic after they defeated Sacramento.
The eighth spot in the Western Conference is currently held by the Utah Jazz who are at 17–21.
New Orleans will have a chance to improve its record when it hosts the 12th team in the Eastern Conference, the Charlotte Hornets, on Friday.
