Anthony Davis Injury Update: Initial Exams Show No Ligament Damage In Right Thumb, Believed To Be Grade 1 Sprain
Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

In the 91-77 loss to the Brooklyn Nets to conclude the 2019 NBA China Games, the Los Angeles Lakers initially diagnosed Anthony Davis with a sprained right thumb.

The injury occurred in the first quarter when Davis blocked a Nets player at the rim. While Davis stayed in for the remainder of the quarter, his hand was lightly wrapped.

Once Davis made his way back to the locker room, he was shut down for the game and will undergo diagnostic testing once the Lakers return to Los Angeles after a week in China.

Davis is scheduled for an MRI on Oct. 13, but initial exams are positive, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic:

Considering the team’s history with injuries in the past 6-7 seasons, there are obviously concerns about Davis’ latest injury. However, it appears Davis only played 12 minutes against the Nets as a precautionary measure at this time.

While some will bring up Davis’ injury history with the New Orleans Pelicans, he has actually played at least 75 games in two out of the last three seasons. And for the 2018-19 NBA season, he was limited to 56 due to the trade request.

As the Lakers are viewed as championship contenders, the reality is Davis and LeBron James need to stay relatively healthy to improve their chances. While the team’s strength is depth, it starts and ends with the two All-Star players.

With the hope of the MRI confirming these initial exams, it will be interesting to see if the Lakers change their strategy with Davis with three preseason games remaining now.

Since there is a balance between building chemistry and staying healthy, Davis and James have shown they compliment each other well and should play limited minutes until Opening Night against the Los Angeles Clippers.

You May Also Like

NBA Free Agency Rumors: Anthony Davis Waives $4 Million Trade Kicker, Creates Max-Contract Slot For Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers made their biggest move of the offseason when they traded for Anthony Davis from the New Orleans…

Lakers Rumors: Rajon Rondo, Organization Maintaining He Didn’t Spit On Chris Paul

After dropping their season opener to the Portland Trail Blazers, excitement was abound Saturday night as the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Houston Rockets…

Lakers Rumors: Front Office Leaning Toward Smaller Trade Involving Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn

It is clear that this Los Angeles Lakers roster, as currently constructed, is not one that can compete for a championship…

Lakers Rumors: Markieff Morris Expected To Enter Disney Bubble

From the time the Los Angeles Lakers began mandatory individual workouts at their UCLA Health Training Center…