Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry downplayed Anthony Davis' absence on a pregame video before Wednesday's loss to the Nuggets but gave no guarantees the All-Star, who's asked to be traded, will play for New Orleans again.
Davis this week was fined $50,000 after his agent made the 25-year-old's trade request public.
There was no sign of Davis, who is sidelined with a injured left index finger, on the big screen in a video before a 105-99 home loss to the Nuggets on Wednesday.
The Pels already took AD out of their intro vid. Petty ? pic.twitter.com/sndEOIKHsD
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 31, 2019
Gentry said he wasn't aware of the situation relating to the video, or the fact Davis — linked with the Lakers — was not on the bench in the final quarter.
"I've never even seen that video," Gentry said after the game. "I really haven't. I'm not avoiding anything, but … I couldn't tell you who's on that and who's not."
Coach Gentry speaks with the media following tonight’s game against the Nuggets.
— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) January 31, 2019
(via: @cadillacNOLA) https://t.co/4kmJBANI4G
He added of Davis: "He's right here in the locker room. When I walked in, he was in the locker room, so ... That's the other thing — I don't look down the bench and see who's on the bench and who's not.
"I think we're making more of a big deal of it than it is. I don't think there's anything. As I've said, [Davis] still talked to all the guys, he was still in [the locker room] when we came in.
"That's what I know. Whatever you guys want to write and make out of that, you gotta do what you gotta do. But I think you're reaching a little bit."
Gentry, however, offered no assurances that Davis will play for the Pelicans again as he nears full fitness.
"That's a hard thing to answer," he said. "I don't really know how to answer that. I assume that he will.
"That's something that will obviously have to be discussed about what's best for him and what's best for our team."