The Los Angeles Lakers had the chance to come away with a series-clinching Game 5 victory to eliminate the Golden State Warriors on their home floor. That didn’t happen, and they may now have some serious concerns regarding star forward Anthony Davis coming out of Wednesday’s game.
Davis played well in the first half of Wednesday’s game, scoring 18 points in the first half. Unfortunately, his night was cut short due to an injury that could leave his status in doubt for the rest of the series.
The eight-time All-Star took an inadvertent elbow to the back of the head from Warriors center Kevon Looney in the fourth quarter. You could instantly see that this affected him, grabbing his head and wobbling slightly as he walked off the floor.
Anthony Davis is in discomfort after getting hit in the head. pic.twitter.com/kyqc4zIMYy
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 11, 2023
Davis would not return to the game, which certainly played a role in the Warriors holding onto their fourth-quarter lead to take home the Game 5 victory.
TNT sideline reporter Chris Haynes offered an update on Davis later in the fourth quarter, saying that he “didn’t look as stable” as he walked to the locker room.
“As they were walking and escorting him, [Anthony Davis] didn’t look as stable. He needed a little bit of help walking. He appears to be a little bit dizzy.”- TNT’s Chris Haynes pic.twitter.com/ja1nKfvM0c
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 11, 2023
Haynes then reported that Davis actually needed the assistance of a wheelchair to get back into the locker room.
“Anthony Davis was wheeled out on a wheelchair… It didn’t look good. He had a towel over his head as they were wheeling him away.” pic.twitter.com/4RDHZfuUx9
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 11, 2023
It is obviously a huge concern for the Lakers to see Davis exit like this. Many around the NBA world offered their thoughts on the injury for Davis.
LeBron limping around on 1 foot and Anthony Davis concussed.
This is how it all ends isn’t it? It was always gonna end this way.
The Warriors are the luckiest dynasty in the history of sports when it comes to the best players on the other team getting hurt. pic.twitter.com/NyaaPi8Zn9
— V̷a̷t̷o̷r̷ (@VatorSports) May 11, 2023
The series may come down to what happens with Anthony Davis over the next 48 hours as a result of the Kevon Looney elbow
— Trevor Lane (@Trevor_Lane) May 11, 2023
btw the refs did not call a foul on the anthony davis injury.
hope ad is okay 🙏 pic.twitter.com/nNsS1Wyukj— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) May 11, 2023
Lebron dropping a 40 pt triple double in game 6 to end the warriors dynasty without Anthony davis gonna hit crazy in his documentary in 5 years
— John (@iam_johnw) May 11, 2023
If Anthony Davis is diagnosed with a concussion, per the NBA protocol he cannot begin the RTP process for at least 24 hours. Then they have to no symptoms at rest followed by no symptoms with increasing exertion. Mean time missed historically is ~ 7.7 days.
— Dr. Nirav Pandya, M.D. (@DrNiravPandya) May 11, 2023
While this seems like the worst-case scenario for Lakers fans, there is at least some hope that Davis could play in Game 6 of the series on Friday night. Lakers head coach Darvin Ham offered a promising update on Davis after the game.
“He took a shot to the head,” Ham told reporters. “But I just checked in on him. He seems to be doing really good already. That is the status of it right now.”
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham provides an update on Anthony Davis following his early exit in Game 5. pic.twitter.com/yG2j7YdJe4
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 11, 2023
[The Comeback on Twitter] Photo Credit: TNT
