Anthony Davis injury: A recent history of hand fractures in the NBA

Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and Carlos Boozer are among NBA players who have broken their hands in the NBA.

by Kevin Zimmerman

Dec 2, 2013, 6:00 PM UTC

Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

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Anthony Davis injury: Pelicans big man fractures hand, out 4-6 weeks

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Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans haven't yet revealed a timetable for the forward's return from a bone fracture in his hand. Recent cases in the NBA make a reasonable expected return date set at two months down the road, but Davis' injury has hardly been specified as a non-displaced break.

Without specifics, it’s hard to say when the second-year forward can step back onto the court.

On Monday, it was announced that the Brooklyn Nets' Paul Pierce suffered a non-displaced break to his third metacarpal bone -- the bone in the hand just below and attached to the middle finger. He is expected to miss two to four weeks of time. That appears quite quick compared to Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer's two-month long recovery after he suffered a fracture to his fifth metacarpal bone in 2010.

It matters quite a bit where the break occurred on the bone, Dr. Mark S. Cohen told NBA.com regarding Boozer’s injury.

Treatment will vary depending on the location, alignment, and stability of the fracture. Many fractures can be treated with a cast or splint.

A day prior to Davis' injury, Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Redick suffered a break to his pisiform bone and a tear to his UCL, a ligament in the wrist. Redick's recovery timetable sits at six to eight weeks.

In 2012, Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving missed more than two months after breaking his hand in mid-July. Following surgery, Irving returned to five-on-five action in late September.

The Bird Writes: More on the Pelicans

And Kevin Love broke two metacarpal bones in his hand while doing knuckle pushups during the preseason in October and returned a month later after missing nine regular season games. He then re-broke his hand in early January and missed the rest of the season. Love appeared in just 18 games during the 2012-13 season.