Anthony Davis injury update: Will head injury keep Lakers star out of Game 6 vs. Warriors?
Closing out a series in the NBA Playoffs is never easy, but the task may have gotten more difficult for the Lakers.
In the fourth quarter of a potential closeout game against the Warriors, Anthony Davis was forced to exit the game after taking an inadvertent shot to the head from Warriors center Kevon Looney.
What does this mean for Davis and the Lakers? Here is what we know about his injury and status moving forward.
Anthony Davis injury update
While battling for position on the inside, Davis took an inadvertent elbow from Looney to the side of his head. Davis was taken out of the game, brought back for evaluation, and eventually ruled out for Game 5 with what the Lakers ruled as a head injury.
Here's the play where Davis was injured as well as the aftermath that includes him receiving attention on the bench before being taken to the locker room.
Turner Sports' Chris Haynes reported that Davis was being evaluated at Chase Center, with the possibility of a concussion looming as a potential diagnosis. Haynes added that Davis was brought to the locker room in a wheelchair following his evaluation.
In a later report, Haynes added that Davis "appears to have avoided a concussion and is doing better now," a positive sign for Davis and the Lakers.
Lakers head coach Darvin Ham told reporters that he spoke with Davis, who he said "seems to be doing really good already."
Davis exited Game 5 with 21 points (on 10-of-18 shooting), nine rebounds and three assists in 32 minutes.
Will Anthony Davis play in Game 6?
Davis' availability largely depends on the diagnosis of his injury and whether or not he is dealing with a concussion. If Davis is not diagnosed with a concussion, there is a clear path for him to return to the floor for Game 6.
Here is an excerpt from the NBA's Concussion Policy:
There is just a one-day layoff between Games 5 and 6 of the Western Conference Semifinals series between the Lakers and Warriors.
Lakers vs. Warriors schedule
Here is the schedule for the second-round series between Los Angeles and Golden State, with the final two games airing on the ESPN family of networks.
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Date Game Time (ET) TV channel
May 2 Lakers 117, Warriors 112 10 p.m. TNT
May 4 Warriors 127, Lakers 100 9 p.m. ESPN
May 6 Lakers 127, Warriors 97 8:30 p.m. ABC
May 8 Lakers 104, Warriors 101 10 p.m. TNT
May 10 Warriors 121, Lakers 106 10 p.m. TNT
May 12 Game 6 TBD ESPN
May 14 Game 7* TBD ABC