Anthony Davis says eye ‘getting better,’ plans to play vs. Clippers
Anthony Davis’ availability for Thursday’s season-resuming showdown with the Los Angeles Clippers was in doubt this week due to an eye injury. However, the Lakers star returned to practice Wednesday, meaning there’s a chance he will be on the court when the NBA resumes its season in Orlando, Fla., after a lengthy shutdown.
Footage shared on social media shows Davis back on the practice court participating in a light shooting workout.
Anthony Davis participating in Lakers practice pic.twitter.com/FgP6mav5hD
— Chris Mannix (@SIChrisMannix) July 29, 2020
Davis originally suffered the injury when he was inadvertently poked in the eye during Saturday’s scrimmage against the Orlando Magic. He then sat out Sunday’s scrimmage, leading to speculation that Davis may miss Thursday’s game.
That concern was reinforced by how Davis was still wearing sunglasses as recently as Tuesday to protect his injured eye as he sat out practice.
Anthony Davis didn’t practice today. He’s still dealing with his eye injury from Saturday. Here he is near the end of practice. pic.twitter.com/eECYA4aK3L
— Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) July 28, 2020
Davis told reporters Wednesday that the plan is for him to play Thursday night, but he will first be reevaluated by doctors.
Anthony Davis says the plan is for him to play tomorrow against the Clippers. Said he's going to get his eye re-evaluated by doctors tonight, but that he plans to take the court in the debut.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) July 29, 2020
Anthony Davis said the plan is for him to play tomorrow against the Clippers in the first seeding game. “The eye is getting better,” he said.
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) July 29, 2020
The Lakers enjoy a comfortable cushion atop the Western Conference thanks to a 5.5-game lead over the second-seeded Clippers. With only eight games remaining in the seeding portion of the NBA’s resumption, the Lakers enjoy some leeway as the team embarks on a long-delayed title run.
With that in mind, the Lakers could play it cautious with Davis, although it’s important that he — and the same can be said for every player on the 22 teams down in the bubble at the Walt Disney World Resort’s ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex — get the opportunity to knock off months worth of rust ahead of the postseason kicking into high gear next month.
