Lakers’ Anthony Davis Could Play vs. Warriors Despite Hurting Eye Again

According to NBA insider Dave McMenamin of ESPN, Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis could play against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday (4/9) despite hurting his eye again. 

Davis aggravated a left eye injury and was ruled out of the second half of the Lakers’ 127-117 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday (4/7).

Davis was inadvertently hit in the face by Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson late in the first quarter while scoring off an offensive rebound. The NBA champion immediately went to the ground after the play and covered his face with his hands.

Davis went to the locker room for evaluation and did not return. He left the arena without speaking to reporters.

Without Davis, the Timberwolves outscored the Lakers — who also were without LeBron James (flu-like symptoms) — 46-27 in the second quarter.

“He’s extremely valuable,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said of Davis. “Everyone around here knows that. Everything he brings on both sides of the ball, it’s tough. Already being without Bron and seeing him go out, it’s tough. But my hat’s off to our guys. They didn’t feel sorry for themselves. They kept competing all the way through.”

Davis suffered a corneal abrasion to his left eye during the Lakers’ 128-121 loss to the Warriors on March 16. The Lakers big man was struck in the eye by Warriors forward Trayce Jackson-Davis in the first quarter and similarly had to exit the game early.

The injury required Davis to seek medical attention from a specialist after his vision was temporarily impaired and his eyelid was swollen shut.

One of the best players in the NBA, Davis is averaging 24.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.4 blocks this season while shooting 55.4% from the field, 28.0% from beyond the arc and 81.6% from the free-throw line. 

The Lakers are in ninth place in the Western Conference standings. They have three games left in the regular season.