Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis will miss the next four-plus weeks after suffering an MCL sprain during Friday’s loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Davis first went down after stepping on Naz Reid’s ankle, forcing him to exit in the first quarter. He later returned, only to have guard Jaylen Nowell fall onto his left leg. The 28-year-old forward went into the locker room and never returned to the game.
Now, per The Athletic’s Shams Charania, MRI results have determined Davis suffered an MCL sprain. While the severity isn’t known, the All-Star forward will miss at least four weeks of action.
- Anthony Davis stats (2021): 23.3 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2 bpg, 1.2 spg
The injury comes at the worst possible time for the Lakers. Already dealing with multiple absences due to COVID-19, Los Angeles entered play on Saturday with the No. 6 seed in the Western Conference. Sitting just two games above the .500 mark, there will be even more pressure on an aging LeBron James to keep the Lakers alive.
With Davis sidelined, Carmelo Anthony and DeAndre Jordan will likely see extended minutes in the weeks ahead. Dwight Howard is currently in the NBA’s health and safety protocols.