LOS ANGELES — the Los Angeles Lakers star big man Anthony Davis left Saturday’s critical match against the Warriors of the Golden State with what the team considered to be an “eye contusion” and was sent off at the start of the second half.
Lakers’ Anthony Davis suffered a corneal abrasion, sources say. He remains in the locker room against the Warriors.
– Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 17, 2024
Davis was poked in the eye by Warriors rookie Tracey Jackson-Davis on a basket two minutes and 47 seconds into the first quarter. Davis played the remainder of the quarter with his left eye notably closed before returning to the locker room during the break between quarters. Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka was seen checking on Davis during the period. The team finally ruled him out just after halftime.
Rob Pelinka has just returned to the locker room during the timeout. I’m still waiting for an update on Davis. https://t.co/BGTzVmGduR
– Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) March 17, 2024
In a postgame press conference, Lakers coach Darvin Ham said Davis was not able to see out of his left eye. Lakers doctors attempted to treat the injury until halftime, but were unable to clear him to return. Davis’ status for Monday’s game against the Atlanta Falcons is uncertain.
The Warriors then beat the Lakers 128-121 in a game that was of utmost importance to both teams as they attempted to advance in the crowded Western Conference. The win put the Warriors (35-31) ahead of the Lakers (36-32) in ninth place by percentage points and brought them to within 2 1/2 games of eighth place. Dallas Mavericks. It also ensured that the Warriors would at least split the head-to-head series — Golden State won two of the three contests, with a final game in Los Angeles in the final week of the season. The Lakers won by six points after Davis exited after the first quarter.
Stephen Curry, I returned from a nine-day absence with a sprained ankle.led the Warriors with 31 points, six rebounds and five assists. LeBron James scored 40 points, tying a season high, while grabbing eight rebounds and nine assists. The game also had a 20-minute stoppage in the final sequence due to a shot clock malfunction following multiple replays.
“I’m too old for this.”
—LeBron after the stops in the final minutes of Warriors-Lakers ???? pic.twitter.com/PSc9Z564nn
– NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) March 17, 2024
Entering the game, Davis was averaging 24.7 points, 12.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.4 blocks per game. He played the fifth most minutes in the NBA this season.
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(Top photo: Jason Parkhurst / USA Today)
