Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis left Game 5 against the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night after accidentally colliding with Kevon Looney and hitting his head midway through the fourth quarter. The Lakers held on to win 121–106 and take a 3–2 series lead, but Davis’ status for Game 6 on Friday is unclear pending further evaluation.
According to Chris Haynes of TNT, Davis is expected to be available to play in the pivotal Game 6. However, Davis appeared dazed after the collision with Looney and sullenly held his head on the bench before heading to the locker room. Lakers coach Darvin Ham said Davis seemed to avoid a concussion but declined to provide further details about the evaluations Davis received.
Davis required a wheelchair to get to the locker room following the injury scare but was able to leave the arena without assistance after the game. “Obviously everyone saw him take a shot to the head, but we just checked him out, and he seems to be doing pretty well already,” Ham said.
Before exiting, Davis had 23 points, nine rebounds and three assists for the Lakers. Austin Reaves said Davis is “getting better” but that the Lakers will be ready to play with or without him in Game 6. “Of course, AD is a big part of what we do. I think he’ll play, but if he doesn’t, we’re still a group of NBA basketball players that played without him this year,” Reaves said.
The injury adds uncertainty to a series that has swung back and forth. After losing the first two games at home, the Lakers won Games 3 and 4 to even the series before dropping Game 5 on the road. With a victory in Game 6, the Lakers can advance to the Western Conference Finals. But without Davis, their prospects become far more dubious against the defending champion Warriors.
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