Following another loss against Utah Jazz with 109-122, the Lakers are struggling to keep the team in the playoffs contenders. To make it worse, four-time NBA champion and Lakers’ highest contributor, LeBron James, is sidelined due to an ankle injury.
“There’s really no words for it. An incredible performance. The best to ever do it in my opinion,” stated Lakers head coach Frank Vogel post-game against the Golden State Warriors after dropping 56 points on Saturday, March 6 at Crypto.com Arena.
Meanwhile, in the game against Utah, the Lakers’ power forward and center, Anthony Davis, was also absent due to an ankle injury. Fortunately, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski recently reported that Davis will be returning back to make an appearance in the next game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Hopefully, with the return of Davis, the Lakers can be given a massive handout that will save them from being kicked out of the offseason games. Given the absence of James, hopefully, Davis will not experience another injury.
Lakers star Anthony Davis plans to return Friday vs. the Pelicans, barring setback, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Davis has been sidelined since Feb. 14 due to mid-foot sprain. Big Lakers-Pelicans game with Play-In ramifications.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 31, 2022
Anthony Davis
The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that the 29-year-old will suit up against the Pelicans on Friday with his injured foot. While James is reportedly hoping to join, it appears that Davis will be more ready at this point following his recovery since February 16 against the Utah Jazz as well.
Davis has not played since he landed in an awkward position after catching the pass from Malik Monk right in front of the rim. As the 2020 NBA Champion was trying to make a rebound, the former New Orleans Pelican bent his right ankle after making foot contact with Jazz center, Rudy Gobert.
“Obviously it’s sickening to see AD go down in that fashion,” LeBron said. “I hope he’s fine. Obviously, I mean, I know he’s not like, great, but obviously, his health is most important for him individually, for our ballclub. I’ve seen [teammates get injured] too many times, obviously. So I just wish him the best.”
His MRI scan came back with no fracture but is definitely a sprain that required him to be sidelined for six weeks. Now that it is approximately six weeks, the eight-time NBA All-Star is reportedly ending his absence. With 31-45, Davis might help the team to increase its winning games.
“Davis, who has been sidelined since Feb. 16, is targeting a return by Friday at home against the No. 9 New Orleans Pelicans,” sources told ESPN.
My @NBAonTNT Report: Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis targeting a return Friday, star LeBron James anticipated to miss Thursday in SLC and Kendrick Nunn expected to be shelved for remainder of season. pic.twitter.com/UuZSXPlWT9
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 30, 2022
Trade rumors
Meanwhile, the 2017 NBA All-Star Game MVP is rumored that he will be traded to another team. Earlier this week, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst mentioned Tuesday during a performance on “Get Up” that he believes the Lakers are discussing a potential replacement for Davis this summer.
“I think it’s going to be something that’s going to be discussed,” Windhorst said referring to the Lakers’ potential desire to switch AD.
The four-time All-NBA First Team played for 601 games. He has an estimated 23.8 points per game with 10.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.4 steals in an average of 34.4 minutes. If the Lakers do trade Davis, the player will attract interest in the trading market.