Los Angeles Lakers superstar Anthony Davis injured his right foot against the Denver Nuggets on December 16th, and it has been among the NBA’s top storylines to monitor. He was expected to miss at least a month because of a stress fracture and bone spur fracture off the navicular bone in his right foot.
Monday’s game against the Nuggets was the 13th consecutive that Davis has missed. The Lakers have been able to stay afloat without him, going 7-6 during that span. Luckily for them, they could be getting their All-Star back in the lineup soon.
According to Dave McMenamin of ESPN, the pain is subsiding in his foot. Davis is planning to ramp up his activity this week as he gets closer and closer to a return.
“The ramp-up process will involve aquatic pool workouts and running on an altered-gravity treadmill to keep the big man’s full weight off his foot while it continues to heal, sources said.
There is optimism within the Lakers that the ramp-up process could take only a couple of weeks before Davis could start penciling in a potential return to game action, sources told ESPN.”
That is certainly excellent news for the Lakers, who need Davis healthy and in the lineup if they have any hopes of making a postseason run. LeBron James has been playing at a very high level in his absence, putting the team on his back every night he steps on the court.
LATEST NBA INJURY NEWS: Anthony Davis & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
But, some credit needs to be given to Thomas Bryant, who stepped into the starting lineup in Davis’ place and has played magnificently. As a starter this season, the Indiana product is averaging 16.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game. His efficiency has been through the roof with a .647/.500/.804 shooting split.
“I’ve already kind of had visions of what that could possibly look like with the frontcourt of myself, AD and Thomas on the floor together,” James said after the win in Sacramento when asked about Bryant’s contributions. “I think it could be extremely beneficial for our ballclub.”
Davis has never been shy about his preference to play power forward, which would be possible if Bryant remained in the starting lineup at the center spot. Given his ability to stretch the floor and shoot 3-pointers, he would alleviate some of the pressure on James and Davis offensively as well.
LATEST NBA INJURY NEWS: Anthony Davis & Los Angeles Lakers Updates
On the season, Davis is averaging 27.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 steals and 2.1 blocks in 33.4 minutes per game. It was unfortunate timing for the injury as he was playing some of the best basketball of his career.
