“Lakers’ Anthony Davis Suffers Scare but Assures Readiness for Play-In Tournament”
The Los Angeles Lakers breathed a sigh of relief after All-Star forward Anthony Davis left their final regular-season game against the New Orleans Pelicans with hip and back spasms. Despite the late-game scare, Davis assured fans that he would be ready for the upcoming Play-In Tournament.
The incident occurred late in the fourth quarter when Davis went for an offensive rebound and received a nudge in the back from Larry Nance Jr. Although the play initially seemed minor, Davis landed awkwardly and had to exit the game shortly afterward.
Davis received assistance from the medical staff as he walked gingerly toward the sideline, eventually making his way to the locker room for further evaluation. ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported the diagnosis of hip and back spasms, which was later confirmed by Lakers coach Ham during the post-game press conference.
Despite the setback, Ham expressed optimism, stating that the issue was not severe and that he anticipated Davis would not miss any playing time. With the upcoming playoffs, the Lakers remain hopeful that Davis will be at full strength to lead them in their postseason campaign.
Anthony Davis, often plagued by injuries, overcame his woes this season, playing 75 games for the Lakers. His stellar performance included a remarkable 30-point, 11-rebound display on Sunday, culminating in season averages of 24.7 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 2.3 blocks per game.
Securing a victory on Sunday, the Lakers secured an eighth-place finish in the Western Conference with a 47-35 record. This sets the stage for their participation in the Play-In Tournament, where they will face the New Orleans Pelicans in a highly anticipated No. 7 vs. No. 8 seed matchup on Tuesday. The victor will clinch the No. 7 seed in the playoffs, while the defeated team will contend against the winner of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 game on Friday for the final playoff berth.
