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Los Angeles Lakers: Anthony Davis injury scare impact

By Jamaal Artis

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Alex Caruso #4, JaVale McGee #7, Rajon Rondo #9 and Dwight Howard #39 look on as Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers lies on the ground after being injured contesting a shot by Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks look on during the second half of a game at Staples Center on January 07, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Alex Caruso #4, JaVale McGee #7, Rajon Rondo #9 and Dwight Howard #39 look on as Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers lies on the ground after being injured contesting a shot by Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks look on during the second half of a game at Staples Center on January 07, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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After news that he (expectedly) rejected the Los Angeles Lakers’ extension offer, Anthony Davis fell too hard on the hardwood and had to exit the game early.

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the New York Knicks by 30 points at Staples Center Tuesday night in a ragged physical affair. But the only news that anyone cared about was the condition of superstar forward Anthony Davis.

Davis went down hard on his lower back attempting to make a block with 2 minutes left in the third quarter. Laker’s fans held their collective breath as Davis remained down on the floor in obvious pain for several minutes fearing the worst.

Davis was able to get up and gingerly walk off the court but remained in obvious pain as he headed back to the locker room where he was x-rayed. The x-rays revealed a bone contusion of the sacrum (lower back/tailbone).

After the game, the Lakers brass announced that Davis would be further examined with an MRI and will miss the road trip coming up on the weekend where the Lakers play the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night and then the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday on a back to back.

With Davis out for the weekend, other players will have to step in his absence. Davis last missed a game before a rough stretch for the Lakers started back in December. Davis was absent when the Lakers lost to the Indiana Pacers on December 17th.

Without Davis, the Lakers lost by three but both Dwight Howard and Javale McGee stepped up to combine for 30 points bu collectively only 14 rebounds on a night when the Pacers outrebounded the Lakers by one and Domantas scored 26 and collected 10 rebounds.

Howard and McGee will have to do better than the last time having to go up against Kristaps Porzingis (still questionable with a knee injury) on Friday and Steven Adams on Saturday.

Even if Howard and McGee step up this weekend a large portion of the scoring load will be missing in Davis’ absence. This is a perfect opportunity for Kyle Kuzma to squash those trade rumors that have been recently plaguing him.

Kuzma has struggled this year with injuries and consistency after missing training camp. His scoring has been down (11.8) in limited minutes (23.5). Before Tuesday over his last three games, Kuzma had 33 points shooting terribly from the floor (.333) and three-point land (.294).

That kind of production won’t cut if the Lakers are going to get through this weekend and perhaps further without Davis.

If Davis is out for an extended amount of time the Los Angeles Lakers’ depth will be tested and the Rob Pelinka and the front office might make up their minds on personnel changes sooner than expected.

dark. Next. Why Kuzma shouldn't be traded

Wednesday morning update: MRI result shows gluteus Maximus bruise, Davis will travel with the Lakers but is questionable to play.

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