Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis sustained an abdominal injury, forcing him to exit Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia 76ers after just 9 minutes and 50 seconds. Davis ended the game with four points and two rebounds, not returning after heading to the locker room in the first half.
On Wednesday, the Lakers officially updated Davis’ injury status, including a timeline for his reevaluation.
“Lakers forward Anthony Davis underwent an MRI today, confirming an abdominal muscle strain,” the team said. “The injury occurred during the first quarter of Tuesday’s game in Philadelphia. Davis will return to Los Angeles today and will be re-evaluated in approximately one week.”
How Davis progresses will play a major role in the Lakers’ strategy, as they enter Thursday only one game above the Play-In Tournament. However, reports indicate the team is not planning to adjust its approach to the NBA trade deadline due to Davis’ injury.
“One note — the belief is that Anthony Davis’ injury isn’t severe enough to change the Lakers’ trade deadline plans,” Dan Woike of the LA Times reported on X.
Woike elaborated on the Lakers’ trade deadline outlook in an article, discussing their approach after losing Davis for at least one week. Although Davis has expressed his desire for the Lakers to acquire a traditional center, allowing him to play power forward, Woike highlighted the unlikelihood of such a deal being completed.
“It was in part a plea to adjust the roster, with Davis playing more power forward, but that outcome seems increasingly unlikely as the February 6 deadline nears,” Woike wrote about Davis’ request for a center.
If Davis has made his preference for a center clear, why haven’t the Lakers acted on it? According to Woike, the asking prices for starting-caliber centers are simply too high.
“In discussions with league executives, it’s evident that the cost for starting-caliber NBA centers is steep, especially those strong enough to push the Lakers into a major shift like moving Davis to power forward and LeBron James to small forward,” Woike explained.
This likely explains why the Lakers have opted to keep their trade deadline strategy unchanged, despite Davis’ desire to play a different role.
