NBA: Anthony Davis Shoulder Injury Under 'Day-To-Day' Observation

The Los Angeles Lakers are looking to ensure that Anthony Davis’ shoulder injury will not hinder the team’s goals this season.

For the first time this season, Lakers star Davis has been listed on the injury report because of a sore right shoulder. AD injured his shoulder last month and eventually re-injured it while blocking a shot Sunday night against the Toronto Raptors. The Lakers crowd was indeed holding their breaths, but instead of bemoaning the pain following his third-quarter fall, Davis stood up and played through it.

Davis, who originally injured the shoulder Oct. 27 against Charlotte, was first listed as probable for Tuesday’s game at Phoenix. But the All Star forward displayed his resiliency and stated that while his shoulder “feels good,” the Lakers will monitor it through shootaround to determine if he can play.

So far, the Lakers have not limited Davis’ minutes because of the injury. However, coach Frank Vogel addressed AD’s injury and said there might come a time when he decides, independent of the medical staff, to rest a player, including Davis. But that time has not yet come.

When asked if Davis’ potential availability in May, during the playoffs, is affecting their decision-making now, Vogel revealed that the team will be “looking closely” on the progress of his shoulder on “day-to-day” basis before making a statement.

“We’re looking at it very closely, for sure,” Vogel told The Los Angeles Times.

“We know the importance of Anthony to our system and our goals this year. So we’re gonna continue to look at it very closely day to day and make decisions at that point,” Vogel continued.

Davis on his part, described how the blocking of the shot triggered his minor shoulder injury. Based on his recollection, there was no serious nor significant pain on his shoulder prior to the game. However, when he blocked the said shot, he started to feel some “soreness.”

“I really don’t remember if I was feeling it before that,” Davis said Monday when asked about the blocked shot.

“I know I was feeling it a little before the game, but the blocked shot definitely caused that soreness to wake up a little bit. But I mean, I still was able to go through the game fine, do some treatment afterwards. I think that blocked shot, as far as I can remember, kind of opened it up a little bit,” Davis added.