Lakers' Anthony Davis returns after 30-game absence, scores 4 points
Anthony Davis scores his first points since Feb. 14 upon his return.
DALLAS (AP) — Anthony Davis was rusty in the return from the longest absence of the eight-time All-Star’s NBA career, scoring four points while missing eight of 10 shots in the first half against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers’ star player, who has been sidelined for the previous 30 games due to issues with his right calf and heel, returned to start the first of two back-to-back games against the Mavericks on Thursday night.
Davis missed two free throws and only made 2 out of 10 attempts from the field. Despite being a big man, he opted for jumpers but was unsuccessful in converting at the rim twice in a span of almost 17 minutes. Coach Frank Vogel’s initial plan was to limit Davis to approximately 15 minutes of play, all during the first half.
LA is set to play against Dallas again on Saturday night. Meanwhile, fellow star LeBron James is still a couple of weeks away from returning due to an ankle injury.
After a 122-105 defeat at Denver on Feb. 14, where Davis only played for 14 minutes, he was sidelined. This loss initiated a downward spiral of five losses in six games.
“Before the Dallas game, Vogel stated, ‘He will understandably need to regain his footing. NBA action cannot be simulated. That’s the focus for tonight and the upcoming games. This is indeed a significant initial step.'”
Since Davis last played, the Lakers have a 14-16 record and currently rank fifth in the Western Conference as defending NBA champions. At the start of the night, LA was three games away from fourth place and securing home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
The 28-year-old, now in his ninth season, expressed his concerns about potentially tearing his right Achilles tendon. This fear was part of why he was sidelined and has remained out of play for an extended period. The Lakers prioritised ensuring their star player was fully fit.
Davis, who usually averages 22.5 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, joined the match. Since March 20, James has been absent. Since both stars were put on the bench, the Lakers have a record of 7 wins and 9 losses.
