Los Angeles Lakers fans are freaking out after Anthony Davis left Thursday’s game against the Clippers.
The Los Angeles Lakers were already dealing with the news of star LeBron James sitting out after returning prematurely from his high right ankle sprain. With the team trying to avoid the Western Conference’s play-in round, the last thing they needed was another injury to a top player in the starting lineup.
During Thursday’s game against the rival Los Angeles Clippers, forward Anthony Davis walked to the locker room after appearing to tweak his right ankle in the first quarter, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Spectrum SportsNet’s Mike Trudell reports that Davis has been ruled out for the remainder of the game with back spasms.
Lakers: Anthony Davis leaves Thursday’s game with back spasms
Of course, Lakers fans are taking this scare extremely well and are not freaking out whatsoever. That was meant to be read in a sarcastic tone.
Davis is no stranger to the injury bug this season, as he aggravated tendinosis in his right Achilles during a Feb. 14 game against the Denver Nuggets. He sat out for the better part of two months before returning on Apr. 22 against the Dallas Mavericks. Eight games later, Davis exits with back spasms.
Davis only played nine minutes during Thursday night’s game, where he scored four points while shooting two-for-nine from the field. Entering the contest, Davis was averaging 21.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.3 steals while shooting 50.3-percent from the field.
Considering Davis is dealing with back spasms, it is unknown when the big man will return. Even though the team is without James, he is expected to return next week after resting his right ankle. That could lessen the blow of losing Davis to the sidelines, if that is the case. But, the Lakers will have to fight tooth and nail in the final six games of the regular-season to avoid the play-in round.