WATCH: Heart sinks for Lakers fans as Anthony Davis suffers injury scare in Game 1 vs Grizzlies
Anthony Davis suffers shoulder injury in Lakers' playoff opener against Grizzlies
Follow Us
Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 (image via NBA)
The Los Angeles Lakers suffered a major setback in their playoff opener against the Memphis Grizzlies, as star center Anthony Davis appeared to injure his right shoulder in the first half. The incident occurred when Davis collided with Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. while attempting to rebound a missed layup by Lakers guard Austin Reaves.
Davis immediately clutched his shoulder and was helped off the court by Lakers staff. He was seen telling the medical staff on the sideline that he could not move his arm. AD was then escorted to the visitors’ locker room for further evaluation.
The Lakers were hoping for a clean bill of health heading into the playoffs, with Davis and LeBron James both returning from extended absences due to injury. However, the injury-prone Davis appears to have suffered another setback, leaving the Lakers’ postseason hopes in doubt.
Davis had been playing well before the injury, providing strong defense and looking for his shot on offense. However, he had been noticeably more passive in the second quarter, as the Grizzlies made a concerted effort to double-team him in the paint.
Anthony Davis Returns to Game After Scary Shoulder Injury
In a positive update, the Lakers announced that Davis was available to return to the game. Davis had started the game strong, dominating the Grizzlies down low, and his absence would have severely limited the Lakers’ chances in the series. With Davis back on the court to begin the second half, Lakers fans breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that their star player was okay.
The Lakers will need Davis to continue to dominate in the remainder of the series, as he has the opportunity to have a big series against a Memphis team that is limited upfront. With Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke both sidelined, the Grizzlies are without two of their usual frontcourt pieces, leaving the door open for Davis to own the paint on both offense and defense.
As the Lakers push for another NBA championship, Davis will undoubtedly play a critical role in their success. The team and fans alike will be watching closely to see how he continues to perform throughout the rest of the series.
In case you missed it:
Do follow us on Google News | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Stay Updated!
Vivek Yadav
(624 Articles Published)