While Anthony Davis’ injury doesn’t put a stop to the Lakers’ season, it does signify an opportunity for other players. The team has been struggling on defense and his absence should give guys like Brandon Ingram and Luol Deng more time to step up their game.
Anthony Davis’ Latest Injury Update Bodes Well for the Los Angeles Lakers’ Struggling Defense. The injury has been described as a “sprained left ankle.”
When Anthony Davis went down, the Los Angeles Lakers’ mediocre season turned into a nightmare. Since spraining his MCL against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 17, the eight-time All-Star has missed 13 games for the Lakers. Davis might return to play as soon as next week, which would be a huge relief for LA’s deteriorating defense.
When Davis was killed one month ago, things in Hollywood took a dramatic turn for the worst. It was the first major injury of the year for the oft-injured player, who missed 36 games last season due to calf and Achilles injuries.
However, both AD and the Purple and Gold have received some positive news.
On Friday, Davis took part in an individual on-court session. According to ESPN, there is now hope inside the organization that AD will return to play during the Los Angeles Lakers’ end-of-month road trip, which starts on January 21.
Davis, who is 28 years old, has struggled from beyond the arc, making just 17.9% of his 3-point tries. He’s been an All-Star-caliber big man, averaging 23.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks a game. He’s also hitting 56.6 percent of his two-point attempts, which is the best number of his career.
Davis’ return is critical for the Lakers’ defense.
Any club that loses a four-time All-NBA player like Davis is certain to suffer. This is particularly true for the Lakers, who have gone 5-8 since AD’s injury, despite LeBron James’ tremendous run. His loss is felt most acutely on the defensive end.
The Lakers were allowing 107.1 points per 100 possessions before the four-time All-Defensive pick went down. The Purple and Gold were ranked 10th in the NBA as a result. However, since Davis’ injury, LA has ranked 27th in the league with 117.3 points allowed per 100 possessions. With 113.3 points allowed per game, it is presently ranked 27th this season.
Davis, along with veterans Dwight Howard and DeAndre Jordan, is one of three big players available to head coach Frank Vogel when healthy. However, because of his injury, Vogel is going small, omitting Howard and Jordan from his rotation and starting James at the 5. While the offense hasn’t suffered, the Lakers just handed up 70 points in the paint against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
The Lakers will receive the rim protector they urgently need once Davis returns.
How important will Anthony Davis’ return to the Lakers be?
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It stands to reason that AD’s return, which is expected later this month, would aid in the turnaround of LA’s struggling defense. Will it, however, transform the Lakers into the championship challenger that many predicted?
The reality is, we still don’t know. Davis, James, and Russell Westbrook, LA’s All-Star three, have only started 15 games together. Three top players have just a few minutes to find out how to play together. And when they did, the results were less-than-spectacular, as the Lakers finished 8-7 in those games.
There will undoubtedly be some doubts about Davis’ return. But none might be more significant than if his presence marks the end of Russell Westbrook’s offensive domination. The former MVP is mired in a dreadful shooting slump that has only added to his season’s misery. However, what happens with Westbrook after AD returns will have a big impact on the remainder of LA’s season.
Even with Davis, the Lakers will be unable to catch Western Conference rivals such as the Golden State Warriors or the Phoenix Suns. In any seven-game series, Los Angeles is likely to open on the road. They may still be a formidable playoff team if Davis returns for real and develops chemistry with LeBron and Russ.
They must first ensure that their defense has improved.
Basketball Reference provided all statistics.
RELATED: For the Lakers to make the championship leap, Anthony Davis must turn back the clock and showcase the aggression of previous seasons.
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The “russell westbrook” is a player that the Los Angeles Lakers have been struggling to defend. The latest injury update for Anthony Davis bodes well for the team’s defense, but they still need to make some changes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Anthony Davis latest injury?
A: Anthony Davis is a basketball player with the New Orleans Pelicans. He has been reported as suffering an ACL injury, which may cause him to miss the rest of his season and possibly next year.
How long will Davis be out for Lakers?
A: Davis will be out for an estimated 2-4 weeks.
How much longer is Anthony Davis out?
A: Anthony Davis is expected to be out 2-3 weeks.
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