The Lakers seemed to narrowly avoid a nightmare scenario on Wednesday night.
The Warriors manhandled it 121-106 in Game 5, and for a few minutes, the outlook for Game 6 looked bleak. Anthony Davis left the game midway through the fourth quarter after being fouled by Kevon Looney’s forearm. Then an ugly scene ensued, as Davis winced in pain on the sidelines for several minutes before leaving excitedly for the locker room.
TNT reported that Eventually he requires a wheelchair to get where he was going.
Davis did not return to the game and was checked for a head injury. Initial reports from the Lakers locker room were very positive. Head coach Darvin Hamm was optimistic for Davis after the loss. “He took a bullet in the head. He seems to be doing a really good job,” Hamm told reporters. “That’s where he’s at and his condition now.”
Word quickly got out that Davis was supposed to not get a concussion. “An early diagnosis suggests that Anthony Davis appears to have avoided a concussion and is doing much better now,” TNT’s Chris Haynes reported shortly after the match.
The Lakers players were hopeful after seeing Davis in the locker room. Austin Reeves said he believes Davis will play in game six on FridayAnd Said LeBron James “The medical team said it was getting better.”
Whatever Davis’ condition, James did not make it out of Game 5 unscathed. The game was very competitive for Hamm to raise the white flag until there were less than three minutes left, meaning James played a relatively taxing 39 minutes. He was also shown limping after scoring on a basket at the end of the third quarter, though he remained in his usual laps until Ham pulled the starters as the game arrived late on. (James was hampered by a foot injury for most of the postseason.)
Game 6 will take place on Friday at 7 p.m. in Los Angeles.
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