Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis suffered a head injury during the team’s 121-106 loss to the Golden State Warriors in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals on Wednesday night. Davis was accidentally hit on the side of his head by Golden State’s Kevon Looney during the fourth quarter and was evaluated by the Lakers’ athletic trainer, Jon Ishop. Davis retreated to the back of the arena for further medical attention and was later placed in a wheelchair and taken to a training room after feeling “woozy.”
Anthony Davis has been escorted away by a wheelchair for further evaluation, per @ChrisBHaynes pic.twitter.com/PqEIAJGOsJ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) May 11, 2023
Despite this, he was able to leave the arena at the end of the night walking to the team bus without any assistance. There was no mention of a concussion after the initial evaluation, and Davis’ agent, Rich Paul of Klutch Sports Group, as well as his parents and Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka, visited the training room to check on him.
It remains unclear whether Davis will be able to play in Game 6 on Friday, with the team not identifying the reason for his departure from the game or his status. If diagnosed with a concussion, Davis would not be able to be cleared until 24 hours after the initial injury, or late Thursday evening. The NBA’s concussion protocol stipulates that a player diagnosed with a concussion must complete a league-mandated return-to-participation process before being cleared to play.
Despite the setback, several of Davis‘ teammates expressed optimism that he would be able to play in Game 6. Davis had been effective up to that point, scoring 23 points on 10-for-18 shooting with nine rebounds and three assists. It was his third game scoring 20 points or more after putting up only 11 points in L.A.’s Game 2 loss in Golden State.
The Lakers, who are up 3-2 in the Western Conference semifinals, will host Game 6 on Friday night in Los Angeles. The team has a chance to advance to the Western Conference finals at home, where they are 6-0 so far this postseason. Despite the loss in Game 5, LeBron James expressed confidence in his team and looked forward to the opportunity to be 1-0 on Friday.
Anthony Davis’ Health Hangs in the Balance: Lakers’ Game 6 Fate in Jeopardy
The Los Angeles Lakers find themselves in a must-win situation in Game 6 against the Golden State Warriors, and the availability of Anthony Davis will be critical to their chances. The Lakers suffered a setback in Game 5 as Davis sustained a head injury in the fourth quarter and did not return to the game. The concern now is whether Davis has suffered a concussion, which would put his availability for Game 6 and possibly even Game 7 in doubt.
Davis has been an integral part of the Lakers’ success this season, and his absence would be a significant blow to their chances of advancing in the playoffs. In Game 5, Davis scored 23 points and grabbed nine rebounds before leaving the game. His presence on both ends of the court, particularly his defensive prowess, has been a key factor in the Lakers’ success.
https://youtu.be/IaZ3xlz2JFE
While the Lakers have other talented players, including LeBron James, they will undoubtedly suffer from Davis’s absence. Even if he is cleared to play, it will take some time for him to recover fully from the head injury he suffered. Without Davis, the Lakers will need to rely on other players to step up, and the burden will fall on James and others to carry the load.
The Lakers’ chances of winning Game 6 and advancing in the playoffs will hinge on Davis’s availability and his ability to perform at a high level. If he is unable to play, the Lakers will need to find other ways to win, but the odds will be against them. The Warriors are a talented and experienced team, with several players who have won multiple championships, and they will not go down without a fight.
In the end, the Lakers will need to be at their best in Game 6, with or without Davis. They will need to limit their turnovers, shoot well from the free-throw line, and play tough defense to keep the Warriors in check. But with Davis in the lineup, the Lakers’ chances of winning increase significantly. He is a game-changer, and the Lakers will be hoping for a positive update on his health ahead of Game 6.
