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Los Angeles Lakers stars LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell pointed to Anthony Davis’ eye harm as a contributing issue behind Saturday’s 128-121 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
Davis performed simply 12 minutes after getting inadvertently hit within the eye by Warriors ahead Trayce Jackson-Davis.
“While you’ve been getting ready for a few days with our prep and also you lose a key element to your group in a single quarter, we tried to select it up, however, clearly, there’s some issues we will not do with out AD,” James instructed reporters of Davis’ absence.
Russell concurred, saying L.A. is “not accustomed to taking part in with out” the nine-time All-Star.
“He is performed nearly each recreation this yr, proper? In order that’s one thing that’s unfamiliar for us,” he mentioned. “Nevertheless it’s no excuse. Jaxson performed his ass off. All people else that got here in stepped as much as the plate. However that is a tricky group, well-coached group. So it isn’t going to be simple.”
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported Davis’ left eye was swollen shut and his standing for Monday’s matchup with the Atlanta Hawks is unclear.
It is true the 6’10” ahead has stayed wholesome this yr. He has appeared in all however 4 of the Lakers’ 68 video games whereas averaging a team-high 35.6 minutes per contest.
Accidents have been a constant theme throughout Davis’ Los Angeles tenure and his profession extra broadly, although. His 64 video games are already his most performed since his 2019 commerce to L.A.
Saying the Lakers are “unfamiliar” with a Davis-less lineup is true in a way, and having a participant get hit within the eye is a freak accident you may’t plan for. Nevertheless, sturdiness continues to be a lingering concern with the 31-year-old.
If nothing else, Saturday’s defeat bolstered how dependent Los Angeles is on its two finest gamers, Davis and James. With the group already in tenth place, shedding both on the incorrect time might be a deadly blow to the franchise’s hope of merely qualifying for the playoffs.