Is Anthony Davis playing tonight against Suns? Latest injury report on Lakers’ superstar ahead of matchup (April 7, 2023)
Anthony Davis’ availability for the LA Lakers on Friday night against the Phoenix Suns is questionable. Davis hasn’t been removed from the Lakers’ injury report since his return from a right foot stress injury on January 25.
LA continues to be extra cautious with AD’s right foot as they’ve been extremely reluctant to put too much load on the superstar big man. The crucial game against the Clippers pushed the team’s limit and allowed him to play on the second night of a back-to-back set on Wednesday.
Anthony Davis (foot) questionable for Friday.
Anthony Davis played 42 minutes on Tuesday in an overtime victory over the Utah Jazz and then 32 more on Wednesday versus the Clippers. The Lakers don’t want to regret later the kind of usage they’ve been putting Davis through in their last two games.
Davis was reportedly limited in practice heading into tonight’s matchup against the Suns. LA may be conserving him for the actual game rather than pushing him in practice. He could also be feeling very sore after playing heavy minutes in two consecutive games.
After the loss to the Clippers, coach Darvin Ham admitted that the Lakers didn’t want to extend Davis’ time beyond 32 minutes. They are extremely well aware of what could happen given the status of his right foot.
“They want to put it on the line.” Darvin Ham on LeBron and Anthony Davis deciding to play tonight. https://t.co/g5TyZXWasq
The eight-time All-Star has been insisting since his return in late January that he’s been playing pain-free. Still, the team’s training staff will carefully monitor him starting this morning’s shootaround until the pregame warmups.
Anthony Davis is likely going to be a game-time decision on Friday night versus the Phoenix Suns.
Anthony Davis’ response after playing back-to-back games wasn’t very encouraging
Everyone, including the LA Lakers, was anxious to learn about Anthony Davis’ status after playing consecutive games for the first time in a long while.
Here’s what he had to say about how his body has responded:
“I haven’t played a back-to-back [set] in a long time. … But, I was able to get through the game. I’ve been better, but I’ll be fine.”
Anthony Davis on his takeaways from tonight's loss and how he feels physically after playing a back-to-back. https://t.co/k0AqQIQKSg
In the Laker's loss to the Clippers, their 11th straight in the "Hallway Series," Davis finished with 17 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. He looked gassed as early as the second quarter of the game when LA trailed 71-52.
The Lakers can't afford to have that version of Davis, which makes his recovery days extremely important.
LA will be facing a Phoenix Suns squad that will be playing its second straight game. Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton will likely not see action.
The Lakers might have enough in their arsenal to give Anthony Davis extended rest while still trying to win a crucial game. It will be interesting to see which direction his team goes as the tip-off draws near.
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