The Lakers got some “good news” about one of their ailing superstars.
Anthony Davis has been cleared for full-contact practice and is close to returning to the Los Angeles lineup, coach Frank Vogel told reporters before his team’s 121-113 loss to the Celtics on Thursday.
He called it, “good news”.
Davis, 28, was evaluated by the Lakers’ doctors on Thursday after missing two months with a calf strain and tendinitis in his right leg. He is “unlikely” to play in the team’s games against the Jazz on Saturday and Monday, Vogel said. But he did say it was “not out of the question” for the 6-foot-10 forward to play against Utah.
The Lakers’ game after that is next Thursday at Dallas. Davis would initially play around 15 minutes per game. The Lakers are 13-15 without Davis during this stretch.
“Whenever it is that he returns, it’s not going to be a full return to playing 30-something minutes a night,” Vogel said. “Especially with the nature of practice and how shorthanded we are, he’s going to have to use some games to try to get himself back in shape.
Anthony Davis EPA“He’s tired of being a patient and ready to be a player again.
Davis, who was averaging 22.3 points on 53.3 percent shooting, and 8.3 rebounds, is among a number of high-profile Lakers battling injuries. LeBron James has missed more than three weeks with a high ankle sprain and point guard Dennis Schroder is dealing with a right foot infection.
The Lakers are 34-22 and in fifth place in the Western Conference.
