LOS ANGELES — Just some hours after LeBron James was dominated out resulting from flu-like signs, the Los Angeles Lakers misplaced Anthony Davis to a watch damage throughout Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Lakers went on to lose 127-117, snapping a four-game successful streak and dropping them to 45-34 and No. 9 within the Western Convention.
Davis went to the Lakers’ locker room between the primary and second quarters after being struck in his left eye by Kyle Anderson on a put-back dunk with 26 seconds left within the first quarter. Davis suffered a corneal abrasion in his left eye in a 128-121 loss in opposition to the Golden State Warriors on March 16. He exited between the primary and second quarters and didn’t return to that recreation as effectively.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham mentioned there was no replace on Davis postgame.
The Lakers led by 4 factors, 37-33, on the finish of the primary quarter after Davis performed all 12 minutes. They had been thrashed 46-27 within the second quarter earlier than outscoring Minnesota 53-48 within the second half.
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“He’s extraordinarily invaluable,” Ham mentioned of Davis. “Everybody round right here is aware of that. … All the pieces he brings on each side of the ball, it’s powerful. Already being with out Bron and seeing him exit, it’s powerful.”
In Davis’ absence, Rui Hachimura (team-high 30 factors) and Jaxson Hayes (19 factors, 10 rebounds, 5 steals and one block) each stepped up. The Lakers trimmed the deficit to as few as 4 factors, 94-90, throughout a 26-6 run over a nine-minute span within the third quarter.
In the end, the Wolves’ protection, imposing dimension and 3-point taking pictures proved an excessive amount of for the shorthanded Lakers to deal with.
“They didn’t really feel sorry for themselves,” Ham mentioned of the group. “They stored competing during. Simply had some unlucky possessions offensively, couldn’t make pictures we usually make. Seemed a little bit drained. … The way in which that we competed — and I do know we misplaced — however I’m super-duper happy with the hassle they gave to attempt to win the sport.”
James arrived at Crypto.com Enviornment just a few hours earlier than tip-off with the intention of enjoying Sunday, however shortly realized he was too sick with a abdomen virus and went dwelling instantly, in accordance with Ham. Ham clarified that James’ absence wasn’t associated to the Lakers being on the second night time of a back-to-back.
The Lakers fell to 6-5 with out James this season. They’re 2-3 with out Davis (excluding their losses to the Warriors and Timberwolves after he exited early).
Each James and Davis’ statuses for Tuesday’s matchup with the No. 10 Warriors — a recreation that’ll have important seeding implications — are unclear.
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(Photograph: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Photographs)
