2 min read • March 30, 2022
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Anthony Davis participated in a live, 5-on-5 practice earlier this week for the first time since he suffered a right mid-foot sprain on Feb. 16, sparking optimism for a potential return over the final 7 games of the Lakers’ dwindling regular season.
Davis, who has been on the sideline for over half of his potential 146 games over the last 2 seasons, has missed the last 17 games over which Los Angeles have gone 4-13 and dropped to the brink of missing the play-in tournament altogether.
Despite his recent advancements, our ProBasketballDocs believe the 27-year-old is still a ways away from returning, and would likely not be available for the Lakers unless they were able to advance to or beyond the first round of the playoffs.
Davis has hit the 6-week mark of his recovery timeline, already 2 weeks beyond the initial 4-week re-evaluation timeline they set, which was always an unrealistic benchmark. Our Docs’ initial diagnosis was of a grade-three right ankle sprain, and despite avoiding severe ankle damage, he appears to have suffered a significant Lisfranc injury, which can be even more fickle, as it deals with a lack of blood flow and necessitates a longer period of immobilization.
He is moving closer to a return, finally being listed on the injury report ahead of Tuesday’s blowout loss to the Mavericks as “doubtful,” he is not there yet and there is no reason to believe the Lakers would rush him back with a 31-43 record and the lingering concern over LeBron James’ swollen left knee.
Over 37 games, Davis is averaging 23.1 points, 9.7 rebounds, 2.3 blocks on 58.2% true shooting, the 2nd-lowest of his last 5 seasons. Because of his and LeBron James’ lower-body injuries, the vaunted trio of Davis, James, and Russell Westbrook has only played 16 games together, posting a 9-7 record.
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