The Los Angeles Lakers haven’t struggled at all with Anthony Davis out of the lineup. They are 3-0, scoring blowout wins against the Dallas Mavericks, Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers since he suffered his gleuteus maximus contusion on Jan. 7.
Overall, the Lakers are rolling, having won nine straight and sitting at 33-7 — the best record in the Western Conference. They host the Orlando Magic tonight (10:30 pm ET, NBA League Pass) and while Davis is still on the mend, he will be questionable for that game.
“I’m getting closer to getting back on the floor with these guys,” Davis said. “But the last three games, it looks like they don’t need me. So kind of taking it slower than usual.”
Davis further detailed his injury to reporters on Tuesday, explaining how he’s happy that his injury was not more serious than it could have been.
“It was very painful,” Davis said. “Hard for me to walk, obviously. It was pretty tough for me to just roll over on my back and on my side at the initial point of contact. It was tough. I didn’t want any speculation, but I was just praying that it wasn’t anything too serious.
“Very relieving knowing that just based on how it felt, a day-to-day thing, [rather] than a fracture or anything like that where you need surgery and you’re out weeks or months or whatever. I’m glad [that my return timeline is] just based on how I feel.”
Per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Davis said he hasn’t sprinted since the injury nor has he had any contact drills or 5-on-5 work at practice. He isn’t fully ruling out playing against the Magic, but wants to remain cautious as he plans to return.
“Every day it’s getting better and I’m a lot closer than I was three days ago,” Davis said. “Made some more progress today. When I feel like I’m able to get back to my old self and do the moves I’ve always done and be successful at it, that’s when I’ll be able to get back on the floor.”
Even if Davis should somehow play tonight, the Lakers will be without guard Rajon Rondo, who has a right ring finger avulsion.
Los Angeles’ nine-game run is one short of tying its season-high of 10 straight victories and it’s the fourth time this season the Lakers have won at least seven in a row.
Forward Kyle Kuzma, the subject of trade rumors, is averaging 24.3 points over the last three games, including a season-high 36 against the Thunder. Dwight Howard, who finished with 21 points (including his third 3-pointer of the season) and 15 rebounds in 25 minutes against the Cavaliers, averaged 14.3 points and 11.7 rebounds off the bench in those same three games.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
