As Los Angeles Lakers big man Anthony Davis attempted to draw a charging foul on Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, the superstar’s elbow hit him squarely in his shoulder area.
Great Lakers WIN but concern going forward is for Anthony Davis
-Didn’t use his left arm after this play
-Possible AC joint contusion
-Possible nerve injury (stinger) pic.twitter.com/vDwjvPP7t9— Dr. Evan Jeffries, DPT (@GameInjuryDoc) March 9, 2024
Scary Injury Reports for Anthony Davis, LeBron James
Following the game, Davis relayed “couldn’t really move” his shoulder after the play. Due to the anatomy of the chest region, the source of his injury isn’t in doubt. However, it’s the nature —and thus the recovery timeline —of his injury that the Lakers needed to determine.
Infamously injury-prone, this is his second season playing at least 60 games since being traded L.A. the summer of 2019. It’s his first time since 2019-20.
With play nearly as inconsistent as his availability, Davis has been maligned throughout the course of his tenure with the Lakers. However, Davis is one of the league’s elite two-way performers, averaging 24.7 points and 2.4 blocks per game this season. As a result, he’s nearly as important to L.A.’s playoff hopes the other star on their injury report.
LeBron James Experiencing ‘Severe Soreness’
Meanwhile, LeBron James is experiencing “severe (left ankle) soreness,” per the Southern California News Group’s Khobi Price, which caused him to miss Friday’s game against the Bucks. Though head coach Darvin Ham would designate James as “day-to-day,” it’s also been described as a “wear and tear” injury (h/t ESPN’s Dave McMenamin).
A Troubling History
Go back to Mar. 2021. James was ruled out indefinitely in late March with a high right ankle sprain. Just a year after he suffered his first major injury, a groin strain that led to him missing a then career-high 17 consecutive games, this was James’ first major ankle injury. The ankle sprain would cause him to 20 straight games, the longest stretch of his career.
Upon his return to the hardwood, James would say, “I don’t think I will ever get back to 100%…”
James has never been considered an oracle, but he made an accurate prediction that day. In Mar. 2022, James suffered a left ankle sprain after stepping on the foot of then New Orleans Pelicans center Jaxson Hayes. With the Lakers eliminated from playoff contention a week later, James missed the rest of the 2022-23 season with left ankle soreness.
A year later, and James was ruled out for L.A.’s first game after the 2024 All-Star Weekend due to another left ankle injury. Even in a vacuum, the injury was worrying, especially for a 39-year-old that’s played 1,759 career games. Considering his history with ankle injuries, it’s even troubling, if not alarming.
Still, as of now, his recovery timeline is indefinite. When describing James as day-to-day, it’s more of an acknowledgement that James’ feelings about playing on his ankle will be on a case-by-case basis, than anything else.
“Some games are better than others,” James said after the Lakers fell to the Sacramento Kings on Thursday. “I didn’t feel it at all against OKC [on Monday]. And I didn’t feel it at all until the fourth quarter tonight. So, each game, each day is different.”
