Lakers’ Anthony Davis Planning To Return Friday vs. Pelicans

Lakers power forward Anthony Davis is expected to return for Friday’s home game against the Pelicans, per Shams Charania of The Athletic.

Davis has been out since mid-February with a midfoot sprain. The Lakers visit the Jazz on Thursday and will be without both Davis and fellow star LeBron James, who returned to LA for further treatment on a sprained ankle.

James, 37, suffered the injury in Sunday’s loss to the Pelicans and missed Tuesday’s blowout loss to the Mavericks. 

The Lakers (31-44) sit in 10th place in the Western Conference and are in danger of missing the play-in tournament. As Charania noted, their next matchup with the Pelicans has big “play-in ramifications.”

On Sunday, the held a a 23-point lead before losing by eight. The Lakers are just 4-13 since the All-Star break and have allowed 120 or more points in six of their last seven games.

Either way, it sounds like, barring any setbacks, Davis will be available. As is often the case in these scenarios, he could be on a minutes restriction.