March 8, 2020, Los Angeles, CA, USA: LOS ANGELES, CA - MARCH 08: Los Angeles Lakers Forward Anthony Davis 3 looks on before a NBA, Basketball Herren, USA game between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Los Angeles Clippers on March 8, 2020 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. /Icon Sportswire Los Angeles USA - ZUMAi88 20200308zafi88583 Copyright: xBrianxRothmullerx
Anthony Davis has undoubtedly been the best player for Los Angeles Lakers in their first 28 games of the 2022-23 regular season. Averaging more than 35 points and 15 rebounds per game, in a brief stretch of nine games, Davis single-handedly led the 17x NBA Champions past the victory line.
On one hand where LeBron James and Russell Westbrook have led the Lakers in the fourth quarter, Davis has efficiently taken up the role in leading them in the middle sector. As a result of which he was averaging 27.4 points and 12.1 rebounds in the 25 games he has played. It seemed like ‘The Brow’ was making real progress as he missed only 3 games so far until things went haywire against Denver Nuggets.
The 8-time All-Star has been dealing with the major problem of ‘durability.’ Perhaps that is been the case with him during most of his stint with the Lakers. With the injury demons haunting him for long, as confirmed by Athletic’s Sham Charania, Davis is expected to miss one month.
For those who are unaware, AD suffered a foot injury in the first quarter against Nikola Jokic’s Denver Nuggets while contesting for the ball on December 16.
, AD has played only 76 games in the last two seasons combined. Moreover, his ankle or foot injury has even halted his trajectory as compared to the other ‘big-men’ in modern-day NBA.
Now with Anthony Davis injury concerns haunting the Lakers ahead of Washington Wizards’ encounter, Thomas Bryant will be replacing the 8xAll Star in the starting lineup. The 25-year-old has been averaging close to 10 points per game, perhaps that is just the kind of support LeBron James and Russell would require at the moment.
Will we witness more of Thomas’ magic to what we saw against Denver Nuggets? Remains to be seen as the purple and gold take on Kyle Kuzma led Wizards next.