Lakers Rumors: Anthony Davis To Miss More Games After All-Star Break With Injury

The Los Angeles Lakers face another obstacle in what’s been a disastrous season for L.A. Anthony Davis left Wednesday’s game against the Utah Jazz with an ankle injury, likely forcing the big man to miss yet another stretch of games.

The Lakers’ 106-101 win over the Jazz was overshadowed in the second quarter by Davis’ ankle sprain, which is expected to keep him out for at least two weeks, ESPN reports. X-rays showed that Davis didn’t fracture the ankle but he’s scheduled to undergo an MRI Thursday, according to the Lakers.

"Just shaking his head about, you know, really everything," Lakers coach Frank Vogel told reporters about seeing Davis at halftime. "Obviously I'm not sure what it felt like, but just being frustrated about it looking like he's going to miss some time again."

L.A. is scheduled to host the crosstown rival Los Angeles Clippers on Feb. 25 in its first game after the All-Star break. If Davis misses two weeks, he also won’t suit up for matchups with the New Orleans Pelicans and Dallas Mavericks on Feb. 27 and March 1. The Lakers play the Clippers again on March 3, two weeks and a day after Davis suffered the injury.

Davis has already missed 21 of Los Angeles’ 58 games. With their second-best player in and out of the lineup, the Lakers head into the All-Star break four games under .500.

As the No. 9 seed in the West, the Lakers are six games out of the playoff picture. Los Angeles is four games ahead of the No. 11 seed Pelicans, which is the first team out of the play-in tournament.

In 37 games, Davis is averaging 23.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, shooting a career-high 53.7% from the field.

LeBron James led Los Angeles to a comeback win over Utah, posting 33 points, eight rebounds and six assists. No other Laker scored more than 17 points.

Amid rumors that the organization might look to move Russell Westbrook, the Lakers stood pat at the trade deadline. Los Angeles has arguably been the NBA’s most disappointing team after starting the season as the favorite in the Western Conference.

The Lakers had a 2-1 series lead over the Phoenix Suns in the first round of the 2021 playoffs until Davis got hurt and Los Angeles lost three straight games.