Lakers star Anthony Davis may be able to return to the court within the next seven to 10 days, tweets Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Team doctors will re-evaluate Davis’ condition on Thursday when the Lakers come home from their road trip, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said tonight on ABC’s pre-game show.
Davis hasn’t played since February 14 because of a calf strain and tendinosis in his right leg. He took an important step forward two weeks ago when he received clearance to advance his on-court activities.
Davis was posting his typical All-Star numbers before the injury, averaging 22.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks through 23 games. He signed a five-year max contract with Los Angeles in December.
The Lakers have been sliding down the Western Conference standings without Davis and LeBron James, who may miss another month or so with a high-ankle sprain. L.A. is 4-6 in its last 10 games and has dropped to fifth place, just two and a half games away from seventh and a spot in a play-in game.
Seems like they are slow playing it, making sure he’s good for the playoffs with no setbacks. This seems to have taken way longer than I for sure expected but I guess it’s the smart move, seeding doesn’t really matter to them I personally don’t think. I actually think once LeBron and AD are back the Lakers are going to be flat out dominating teams with the addition of Drummond, that was a bit get for them. For sure going to dominate the boards
Def agree with the comment on top. It’s not like if they can’t make up the ground as well. The west is crammed. As long as Bron is good, Lakers will be a force.
The Lakers have had a better team D rating. Without AD n Bron. Couldn’t believe that, had to recheck it. That should help when they are at full force.
What happened to the “Lakers could go into free fall and miss the playoffs” takes lol
They still could, don’t be so sure they won’t. LA is only 2.5 games ahead of Dallas for the #7 seed and anything can happen in the play-in tournament.
With Bron and AD coming back on the horizon? Zero chance. Dallas doesn’t win every game they play. They are a 7 seed for a reason.
On the horizon? Best case scenario has AD coming back in 2 weeks, but that’s not happening. LeBron is coming back around 1-3 weeks from now so he could easily be out until the end of the month.
You don’t realize how much better of a pace lower seed has to play to catch the Lakers. It’s not feasible.
i honestly think they’ll retain the 5th seed… especially if they win games that they’re not supposed to win (nets today)..
Those aren’t takes. That’s trolling.
They haven’t collapsed but they’ve slipped from 2 to 5
and Portland and Dallas are both within 3 games
Also, suggesting that a team missing not only its two best players but two of maybe the 5-7 best players in league will “free fall” without them isn’t exactly a hot take.
Gonna be a tough road to finals especially with lower seeding. Most likely Phoenix, clippers,nuggets first round? yikes.
Final standing
If Clippers are 2nd seed and Lakers are 6th seed
What should Suns and Nuggets pick in the playoffs?
IMO
Blazers are a better team than Suns and Nuggets come playoffs time
Assuming AD is going to play again SOME day, it’s literally impossible to argue with the statement, “Anthony Davis Moving Closer To Return.” Ever.
He’ll be even closer to returning come tomorrow.
They only have 19 games left in the regular season which ends in 5 weeks.
It’s still gonna be at least a week or two before either AD or LBJ comes back.
Meanwhile the Rockets are on the verge of being optioned to the G-League as the NBA tries to find a team that isn’t as embarrassing to take their place
JeffVG on ABC kept stressing how Schroder needs to take over in the Nets game. He got tossed (maybe wrongly, but) the Lakers did better with TalenHT at PG. I think LJ should be taking over instead! Anyway I doubt Schroder gets retained. He is hard to stop; some team will sign him over $20mil.
he was just 2 for 12 vs. the miami heat .. that just goes to show you what is his ceiling, really… can score & post good numbers vs. the not-so-good defensive team but would struggle against better defensive teams…
They’ll be eyes on him this postseason no doubt . He’s accomplished a lot in the league so far, and in prime, but we haven’t seen much June success from Dennis yet.
Seems its a lot easier to find a nice good cheap guard in the draft rather than an impactful Big/combo forward so that’s gotta account a little too Id Imagine. Especially when spending big coin on a {non} elite guard
The Lakers are now 5-6 without LeBron and tonight destroyed the Nets while missing LeBron, Matthews, Gasol, AD, and Kuzma. Their best player in first half got ejected fortunately the Nets best player did as well. Drummond destroyed the Nets on the glass and inside, Harden coming back and Kyrie playing the whole game won’t change the fact they can’t keep the Lakers off the glass and from scoring in the paint. I think when LeBron and Ad come back the Lakers will be better than the team before their injuries. Morris has proved his worth, Tht is blossoming, kuzma has matured, and Drummond is as expected a monster inside.
While missing Matthews? Seriously?
You missed everyone else I listed and only noticed Matthews in my post. Yes I think it is relevant tgat tge Lakers were missing 6 players by the time Schroeder got thrown out.
That narrative rings true a touch but risk of reaggravation of either 2 takes all the shine off that penny imo
One thing that’s become apparently clear is they will have a championship level defense on the floor come playoffs. Will 7~10 games all playing together be enough to formulate a quality offence? IDK
Yes it will be enough time as long as we assume the health of their two superstars. Both LeBron and Ad are unguardable and on top of that they are the best rebounding and defensive team in the league bar none. The Nets won’t make it out of the east, they are soft inside.
Idk, Gasol was a top of key passer /clear the lane guy ….Drummond is a down low space occupier who clogs ….Lot different styles ……….. and Rd 1 is going to be a straight slugfest straight out the gates
It can work…but it will def be tricky
Nets showed they didn’t take Lakers seriously. Kyrie got tossed, didn’t care. Really didn’t understand Schroeder getting tossed. That’s a bad sign thinking they can do this. Their D is still not very good. It’s their offense that sets tone for game. They win, and intimidate that way. But you match them or stay close. You can beat them. Nets don’t scare me. They seem overconfident and that’s a bad sign to me. Lakers tore up Nets bench. Lakers 100% healthy are still tough to beat in 7 gms. But will they be. Is a real question. These two teams healthy are suppose to be in finals. What I saw is they can both be beat. And they both get hurt. Sixers, Bucks can do it. Clippers, Jazz, Suns, Nuggets can do it.
I didn’t see the game tonight (honestly thought it would be a blowout the other way and didn’t bother)
but I’ve been really impressed with Brooklyn so far. I think — as long as he ends up healthy — Durant missing time was a good thing for this group. Guys like Bruce Brown, Alize Johnson, Nick Claxton, and others have really stepped up. Which should help their depth and defense in the postseason
This team is more than just the big three and some washed up buyout guys. They have some legit hustle guys too.
Well not last night. Laker bench was much better last night. Wasn’t even close lol. I hope rest of NBA was watching.
I also missed on predicting it, but some are saying the Nets did not take the game seriously. They may well have not shown all their cards. Durant looked like he could do more damage. When the PGs got tossed, Lakers looked happier, Nets were like whatever.
Lol lakers beat the top team in the east with two of their stars playing and while they were missing literally 4 of their top 5 players, kyrie had 18 points and Schroeder 19 when ejected late in 3rd quarter, and the Lakers proved how beatable they are? If LeBron and Ad are healthy none of the teams you listed in the west will even take the Lakers to 7, they will all lose in 5 or 6 games. If Embiid and the Sixers are healthy they are the only team I frankly worry about as a laker fan, again assuming LeBron and AD are healthy come playoffs relatively.
Yeah 1 game told you that. They are 3-6 in their division. And 1-6 against those teams I listed. But keep dreaming, best not to deal with reality. No one is a big favorite this yr.
And you forgot defending Champs without Harrell, Schroeder, and Drummond. You do realize those teams beat a hobbled Lakers squad. How good is any team without 5 or 6 players in their rotation, plus their two best scorers. If LeBron and Ad comeback and are healthy they are head and shoulders the favorites they were at the start of the year when they were dominating people. This one game does tell us that the Nets despite the signings are soft on the inside, is Harden going to change that?
Nets loss was cuz of great laker defense just stay with the shooters around the 3pt line game over just like they did in the playoffs against the rockets
I believe the Lakers best bet is to face the suns in the first round out of the top four. Lebron And AD need to come back to get their game shape ready before the playoffs and figure how to play with Drummond. I will not make a big deal about Lakers beating Nets tonight. The Nets were not taken the game seriously. It’s going to be a nice playoffs this season . No clear favorites in both conferences.
As great as tonight was I still see 7th seed in the end for LAL –
Dallas extremely easy schedule moving forward
Comes down to 4-22 and 4-24 in Dallas – Lakes need a minimum one victory- LBJ looking unlikely
8 of Lakes 9 May games are involved in a b2b as well-
Phx is well aware and will be hunting that 1 seed these last 20.
As a Laker fan Im anybody but Denver for rd 1 after a play in victory game, all will be tough but Id like to get my feet wet before taking on the Joker
Agreed, this payoffs is going to be must see TV the whole way thru
Back to the injury list in 10days …
SI and ESPN reporting Davis is 10-14 days out and LeBron is 3 weeks out. If that is the case assuming the Lakers maintain decent form between now and then, than all this having to play into the playoffs talk maybe premature. Schroeder was playing hobbled after a tailbone knock in this game that could hurt them between now and The Return, although THT has been brilliant.