2 min read • December 18, 2021
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The Los Angeles Lakers star power forward left Friday's game versus the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 3rd quarter with what the team is officially calling a left knee contusion. A further team source indicated "So far all is in good structure, but want to take another image." After video review of the left knee injury, the ProBasketballDocs are not reassured. The Sports Injury Central panel consisting of physicians with direct NBA experience feel there is much more to the injury than a simple "contusion"…
By video analysis based on experience of these pro sports team physicians, the way Davis collapsed as he exited and the fact that he has had recent left knee issues, raise significant concern.
Based on limited video, the 28-year-old's injury is consistent with a patellar subluxation (transient dislocation) where the kneecap shifts quickly out and back in. Davis grabs at the top of his patella both times as he goes down (on the court and in the tunnel) as if to hold it in place. The initial collision where Jaden McDaniels was pushed and fell into Davis' knee, forces the knee into valgus (inward) where it can "untrack" the patella. Because it does not remain out of place, Davis is able to get off the court. However, as he is walking into the tunnel it seems to happen again with his left foot off the ground which has the panel leaning against MCL ligament damage.
No one wants this to be a significant issue but there is no way a simple contusion can lead to this chain of events. This is not to say the team is purposefully lying, just typical "coach speak" to stay optimistic, at least until the team itself knows the exact details. Indeed, contusion is part of a patella subluxation diagnosis meaning the team is not lying. In fact, there are times this can happen without structural damage (see Patrick Mahomes patella dislocation during his 2019 Super Bowl season). The contusion label is only a holding diagnosis.
The pending MRI Saturday in Chicago will be his third evaluation on the left knee this week. He apparently had a left knee ultrasound on Monday after missing two game with knee soreness. We may not get to hear the firm diagnosis/prognosis until Davis flies home with the team after the Bulls game on Sunday and the Lakers team physician gets a look at him for a correlating exam. The best case scenario seems to be for Davis to miss the remainder of the 2021 calendar year and return in January but if there is damage to the MPFL (medial patellofemoral ligament), the absence could be longer.
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