When Anthony Davis is on the court these playoffs, the Lakers have a +6.5 net rating. When Davis sits, it’s -5.3. It’s no secret he is the lynchpin to the Lakers’ championship hopes this season.
Which is why reports — both in the aftermath of Game 5 and now the following day — that Davis has avoided a concussion and is likely to play in Game 6 on Friday. Chris Haynes reported this Thursday.
Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis (head injury) is expected to be available for Game 6 on Friday barring a setback, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 11, 2023
That echoes positive reports out of Game 5, including from Lakers coach Darvin Ham.
“Obviously, everyone saw he took a shot to the head, but we just checked in on him, he seems to be doing really good already,” Ham said. “That’s just where he’s at. That’s the status of it right now.”
Sam Amick of The Athletic added this.
In the fourth quarter of Game 5, the Warriors’ Kevon Looney inadvertently elbowed Davis in the side of the head. Davis was instantly in pain.
Anthony Davis took an elbow to the face by Kevon Looney and headed to the Lakers bench 😮pic.twitter.com/DCSyQQmflb
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 11, 2023
Davis went to the bench and later to the locker room for observation, he did not return to the game (which the Warriors won to extend their season). However, the reports out of the game were that he avoided a concussion, and Davis walked out of the Chase Center under his own power.
Game 6 isn’t must win for the Lakers, who are still up 3-2 on the Warriors, but it’s as close as it gets. The Lakers are 6-0 at Crypto.com Arena this postseason and they don’t want to have to win a Game 7 on the road against Stephen Curry and the defending champions. That’s a huge ask. Better to take care of business on Friday night.
But that will require a healthy Davis. It appears the Lakers will have that.
