Including two straight losses to the Detroit Pistons and Memphis Grizzlies, the Los Angeles Lakers have dropped four of their last five games. Los Angeles appeared to be among the NBA’s best teams after a 3-0 start to the season, but they have since fallen back to earth with a 4-4 record overall.
Anthony Davis, an All-NBA forward, did not play for the Lakers in their defeat to the Grizzlies. With an average of 32.6 points per game, Davis leads the NBA in scoring right now, although he has been battling left plantar fasciitis.
ESPN’s Shams Charania said Thursday that he has been battling a heel issue and a lingering foot injury since the end of the previous season.
"This is a nagging foot injury … that he's been dealing with since the end of last season."@ShamsCharania with the latest on Anthony Davis' injury status for the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/R9UyjRAMIC
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 7, 2024
Given Davis’ injury history, there was some fear among Lakers fans when this report was released. However, the Lakers’ official injury report included a positive announcement. Through ClutchPoints on X: “Anthony Davis (plantar fasciitis) is listed as PROBABLE for tomorrow’s game vs. the Sixers, the Lakers have announced.”
"This is a nagging foot injury … that he's been dealing with since the end of last season."@ShamsCharania with the latest on Anthony Davis' injury status for the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/R9UyjRAMIC
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 7, 2024
Anthony Davis (plantar fasciitis) is listed as PROBABLE for tomorrow's game vs. the Sixers, the Lakers have announced. pic.twitter.com/tOkzCUf4vR
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 8, 2024
Given his expected situation, Davis is probably going to return from his injury in this game. Davis has averaged 32.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.0 assists through seven games. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Davis’s performance is that he is shooting a career-high 57.1% from the field.
This season, the Lakers have made it a point to play through Davis, and the 31-year-old forward has demonstrated why it is an excellent strategy. Los Angeles’ Crypto.com Arena will host the Lakers vs. 76ers matchup on Friday night.
