The Los Angeles Lakers won their season finale on Sunday, but were dealt a potential blow when center Anthony Davis left the game with a back spasm.
Davis left the game with less than six minutes remaining in the Lakers’ 123–103 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans. The Lakers secured the No. 8 seed in the West with the win, setting up a rematch with the seventh-seeded Pelicans in a play-in game on Tuesday.
Davis said after the game that he is optimistic the injury won’t sideline him for Tuesday’s game. He accused Pelicans forward Larry Nance Jr. also of a “dangerous play” that led to his injury.
Davis lands awkwardly and heads back
Davis appeared to suffer the injury after landing on a putback layup attempt. Nance appeared to make grazing contact with Davis while Davis was in the air.
Davis stayed on the field until the next stoppage of play and then grabbed his lower back. He then walked to the sideline and lay down in an apparent attempt to stretch his ailing back.
Anthony Davis walked gingerly to the scorer’s table as he asked to be eliminated due to an apparent back injury.
Prayers up for AD 🙏pic.twitter.com/Z8wyWwCwRu
— Link Points (@Link Points) April 14, 2024
He eventually left for the locker room and did not return to the game. Los Angeles led 114-94 when he checked out.
Davis: ‘It’s clearly a dangerous game’
After the game, the Lakers will become head coach Darvin Ham told reporters that Davis suffered from a “cramp” that he described as “nothing serious” and that he is “extremely optimistic” that Davis will play on Tuesday. Davis echoed Ham’s optimism while accusing Nance of a “dangerous play.”
Anthony Davis called Larry Nance Jr.’s push a “dangerous game,” but said there was “no doubt” he will be ready to play in Tuesday’s play-in game. pic.twitter.com/WhFeDjm12o
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 14, 2024
“He gave me a little push,” Davis said. “My back just locked me up. Nothing to worry about.
“I was in the air. So obviously it’s a dangerous play. I know he’s not a dirty player. But I’m in the air and then I get pushed in the back. Hyperextension. It just freezes. Nothing that worries me . although. …
“There’s no question that I’m going to play. Just see how it feels the rest of the day; I’m going to have to get massages, get treatment…stay loose. See how I feel over the next 24, 36 hours and Make you ready for Tuesday.”
The good news for Davis is that he doesn’t have to fly. The Lakers will remain in New Orleans ahead of Tuesday’s game.
The winner of Tuesday’s game will secure the No. 7 seed in the Western Conference and secure a matchup with the No. 2 seed Denver Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs. The loser will face an elimination match on Friday with number 8 at stake.
