NEW ORLEANS (AP) – After Anthony Davis’ final flurry of clutch shots, blocks and rebounds ensured the Pelicans’ first postseason berth since before he was drafted, the 22-year-old All-Star known as the “unibrow” was ready to admit how much it meant to him.
“Honestly, I know I all told ya’ll before this game it didn’t mean nothing, but I tried to downplay it because I didn’t want to get too excited,” Davis said. “It meant a lot – and we played like it meant something.
“We played our hearts out.”
In the biggest game of his three-year NBA career, Davis had 31 points and 13 rebounds, and the New Orleans earned its first playoff berth since 2011 with a 108-103 victory over San Antonio on Wednesday night.
Davis, who’ll make his playoff debut against Golden State next weekend, came through in the waning minutes with a pair of clutch jumpers, two blocks and two rebounds to prevent the Spurs from pulling off a 23-point comeback.