NBA
LA Lakers on tenterhooks as Anthony Davis faces MRI scan
Anthony Davis took blows to the ankle and knee in a painful defeat for the Los Angeles Lakers, meaning he faced post-game medical checks.
Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis will undergo tests on Saturday to determine the extent of the injuries that forced him out of the defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The 28-year-old took ankle and knee blows in the 110-92 setback on Friday, forcing him out of the game and leaving question marks over whether a lay-off could follow.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel said: "He did see the team doctor here. He's just going to have to be evaluated tomorrow [Saturday] with the MRI, and we'll know more at the time.
"Hopefully, it's something minor and he can get back soon, but we'll find out more tomorrow."
On the defeat, he added: "We have enough to win the game, and we didn't play well enough.
"I think their whole team was more physical. They definitely played a more physical brand of basketball today, and we've got to be better."
Davis is averaging 23.3 points plus 9.9 rebounds this season.
"You lose a player of AD's calibre, your team gets weakened," Vogel said.
"We don't feel sorry for ourselves. You hope for the best for AD. You want him in there, and you hate to see any guys suffering any injuries, but we always feel like we have enough to win.
"So, we're not feeling sorry our ourselves or looking for excuses."
Davis managed just nine points in 20 minutes on court, while LeBron James scored a modest 18 points in 35:30 with five-of-13 shooting, adding 10 rebounds.
James is hopeful Davis will be soon back in action.
"I asked him how he's doing, and he said: 'I'll know more tomorrow', so that's all we know," James said. "My concern is always for his health. You wish for the best."
James reflected on injuries and the covid-19 crisis depleting the Lakers' ranks, with players coming in and out of isolation, and said the current circumstances felt "like a revolving door of what-ifs".
"Hopefully, we can get past it soon and can really show who we are as a team, what we are capable of and not having guys in and out so much," he added.