LeBron James' Supporting Cast Called out by Fans After Lakers' Loss to Kings
Dec 22, 2022
SACRAMENTO, CA - DECEMBER 21: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 21, 2022 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
LeBron James did his part, but the Los Angeles Lakers weren't good enough as a team Wednesday to avoid a 134-120 loss to the Sacramento Kings.
James scored a game-high 31 points to go with 11 assists, six rebounds and two blocks, plus some impressive highlights on both ends of the floor:
The Lakers have failed LeBron. They know Anthony Davis is injury-prone and decided to surround Bron with no depth. Rob Pelinka promised he would do everything in his power to protect LeBronâs legacy. Now for the next month his best teammate is undrafted sophomore Austin Reaves. pic.twitter.com/FNGeWMQj74
Not even a two minute break for LeBron and the Lakers spot the Kings a 16 point lead. And now he has to come back to lead a fake comeback and burn him out even more?
The Lakersâ defense didnât make the trip to Sacramento. After allowing 41 pts in the 2nd Q, the Kings put up 40 pts in the 3rd. SAC is shooting 54.3% from the field, 37.1% from 3 and has scored 46 pts in the paint so far.
The defense was especially an issue with Davis out with a foot injury. Four different Kings players scored at least 20 points with six hitting double figures. Domantas Sabonis had 13, points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists with the Lakers unable to compete inside.
Los Angeles fell to 13-18 with the latest loss, putting them 13th out of 15 Western Conference teams. A home game against the Charlotte Hornets on Friday could be an opportunity to turn things around, but the rest of the team must figure out how to pick up the slack.
Lakers Reportedly Seeking Additional Opinions on Anthony Davis' Foot Injury
Dec 21, 2022
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - DECEMBER 11: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena on December 11, 2022 in Detroit, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers are seeking additional opinions on Anthony Davis' foot injury, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin on Wednesday.
Davis continues to receive treatment on his foot and is not wearing a boot, McMenamin added.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported Sunday that Davis was expected to miss "multiple weeks" because of a right foot injury. He had exited Los Angeles' win over the Denver Nuggets at halftime last Friday after his leg collided with Nuggets star Nikola JokiÄ.
Davis had been playing some of the best basketball of his career before being sidelined. The 29-year-old led the Lakers with averages of 27.4 points, 12.1 rebounds, 2.1 blocks and 1.3 steals while shooting a career-best 59.4 percent from the field. Los Angeles had started the season 2-10, but Davis powered the team to a 10-4 stretch before he was injured.
The No. 1 overall pick in 2012, Davis is one of the best talents in the NBA. However, the Kentucky product has developed a reputation for his inability to stay on the court. He appeared in 76 games in the previous two seasons combined.
Any absence by Davis is a major blow to the Lakers, who have struggled to compete against elite teams for much of the year.
While Davis is out, Thomas Bryant will be inserted into the starting lineup. The sixth-year big man has averages of 10.3 points and 4.6 rebounds in 16 appearances this season. Lakers star LeBron James could also see time as a small-ball 5, which is a position he's familiar with.
NBA Twitter Rips Warriors for Lack of Effort Without Stephen Curry in Loss vs. Knicks
Dec 21, 2022
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 20: Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors dribbles against the New York Knicks during the second quarter of the game at Madison Square Garden on December 20, 2022 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
The Golden State Warriors are struggling in the absence of Stephen Curry, dropping Tuesday's game 132-94 to the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The Warriors didn't put up much of a fight against the Knicks, posting 19 turnovers and 22 fouls. Additionally, the Dubs were outrebounded by the Knicks 47-29.
Jordan Poole and Klay Thompson have led the Warriors in Curry's absence, and that continued on Tuesday night, but the latter's performance was underwhelming as he finished with 11 points, four rebounds, two assists and five turnovers in 26 minutes.
Poole, meanwhile, finished with 26 points, two rebounds, one assist and one steal in 29 minutes,
The remainder of Golden State's starting fiveâDraymond Green, Kevon Looney and Moses Moodyâcombined for just 20 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists.
The Warriors dropped to 15-17 with the loss, and they were ripped by NBA Twitter for a lack of effort against a New York team that is now 18-13 and has found its footing of late:
The Warriors look like a team that has mailed it in. Zero toughness when it starts going the wrong direction, especially on the road.
I get you don't have Curry out there. But the effort is non-existent for large portions of the game.
If the Warriors want to stay in playoff contention with Curry sidelined for at least three weeks, they'll need to sort things out quickly. With teams beginning to hit their stride ahead of the holidays, it's important the reigning champions don't fall too far out of playoff contention.
The Warriors will face the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday before hosting the Memphis Grizzlies on Christmas night.
Mat Ishbia Buying Suns, Mercury for Roughly $4B After Robert Sarver Probe
Dec 20, 2022
Mat Ishbia (right) in 2000
Billionaire Mat Ishbia has reportedly agreed to buy the NBA's Phoenix Suns and WNBA's Phoenix Mercury from suspended governor Robert Sarver for $4 billion, the Suns announced on Tuesday night (via Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium).
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the deal would be completed in the "near future."
Sarver announced his intention to sell the Suns and Mercury in September amid massive public pressure from fans, NBA players and sponsors after an investigation found he used racial slurs, made sexist comments, mistreated employees and presided over a hostile work environment during his ownership tenure.
Commissioned by the NBA, the independent investigation conducted by the Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz law firm found Sarver used the N-word on at least five occasions despite being told by other employees his use of the word was inappropriate. He also made lewd sexual comments toward women, had inappropriate physical conduct with men in the workplace, engaged in inequitable treatment of women and bullied employees.
The NBA suspended Sarver for one year and fined him $10 million for his actions, but those punishments received an overwhelmingly negative reaction. There was almost unilateral agreement that the punishment did not fit the severity of Sarver's transgressions, with LeBron James, Chris Paul and Draymond Green criticizing the NBA for falling short.
behavior. I love this league and I deeply respect our leadership. But this isnât right. There is no place for misogyny, sexism, and racism in any work place. Donât matter if you own the team or play for the team. We hold our league up as an example of our values and this aint it.
While the NBA could not force Sarver to sell, it became increasingly apparent the public pressure would not relent. PayPal, the team's jersey sponsor, said it would not renew its deal with the Suns if Sarver remained involved with the franchise after his suspension.
In his press release announcing his intent to sell the Suns and Mercury, Sarver blamed an "unforgiving climate" for his selling the team:
"As a man of faith, I believe in atonement and the path to forgiveness. I expected that the commissioner's one-year suspension would provide the time for me to focus, make amends and remove my personal controversy from the teams that I and so many fans love.
"But in our current unforgiving climate, it has become painfully clear that that is no longer possibleâthat whatever good I have done, or could still do, is outweighed by things I have said in the past."
Ishbia is the chairman and CEO of UWM Holdings, a Michigan-based mortgage lending company. According to Forbes, he has a net worth of $5.1 billion, which has dropped from $9.7 billion in 2021.
Basketball fans may recognize Ishbia's name from his time as a reserve on Michigan State's basketball team from 1999-00 to 2001-02. He was part of the Spartans' national championship roster in 2000.
Ishbia will almost certainly be an instant hit among Suns faithful, who were already disenchanted with Sarver's propensity for penny-pinching even before news of his actions became public. Many fans blame Sarver's frugal ownership style as the main reason the Seven Seconds or Less Suns never won a championship.
Twitter Deems Lakers 'Brutal to Watch' with LeBron James, More Out in Loss to Suns
Dec 20, 2022
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 19: (L-R) Russell Westbrook #0, Anthony Davis #3 and LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers watch from the bench during the first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on December 19, 2022 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers were without their star trio of LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook on Monday night against the Phoenix Suns, and the game played out exactly as expected.
The depleted Lakers limped to a 130-104 loss in a game where they trailed by as many as 27 points. Los Angeles allowed Phoenix to blow the game open early, as the team didn't hold a lead after the 8:25 mark of the first quarter.
Dennis Schroder led the Lakers with 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting. Kendrick Nunn added 17 points off the bench, while Lonnie Walker IV and Thomas Bryant chipped in 16 points apiece.
Los Angeles was doomed by its defense, as the Suns shot 51.3 percent from beyond the arc and got at least 15 points from all five of their starters. Chris Paul turned back the clock with a 28-point, eight-assist performance to lead the way.
Fans on social media let loose on the Lakers for their ugly performance on Monday night:
I know the Lakers have a ton of guys out, but even bearing that in mind, their current bench unit is BRUTAL to watch. Suns up 19
While Davis is expected to miss multiple weeks with a foot injury, the Lakers have to hope that James and Westbrook return to the court sooner rather than later so they can try to stay afloat in the Western Conference.
Los Angeles (13-17) will look to bounce back when it visits the Sacramento Kings (16-12) on Wednesday.
Lakers' LeBron James, Russell Westbrook Won't Play vs. Suns Because of Injuries
Dec 19, 2022
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 6: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 6, 2022 at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by David Liam Kyle/NBAE via Getty Images)
Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James (left ankle soreness) and Russell Westbrook (left foot soreness) in Monday's game against the Phoenix Suns because of injuries.
Austin Reaves (ankle sprain) will also be sidelined.
James has averaged 27.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game in his 20th NBA season and fifth with the Lakers. He's an 18-time All-Star, 18-time All-NBA team member, four-time NBA champion and four-time NBA MVP, among other accolades.
However, the37-year-old has been forced to the sideline on numerous occasions this year.
James was ruled out for the Lakers' Dec. 7 game against the Toronto Raptors with left ankle soreness. He played 36 minutes the night before against the Cleveland Cavaliers and dropped 21 points and 17 rebounds in 36 minutes.
He sat out the Lakers' Nov. 7 matchup with the Utah Jazz because of left foot soreness. He returned two days later against the Los Angeles Clippers but departed in the fourth quarter with a left adductor strain and missed the next five games. He returned Nov. 25 against the San Antonio Spurs.
Meanwhile, Westbrook is averaging 14.5 points, 7.6 assists and 6.2 rebounds per game this season. Since taking on a bench role, he averaged 15.0 points on 41.3 percent shooting, 8.0 assists and 6.1 rebounds in 25 appearances.
Not having James or Westbrook means Los Angeles will be without serious star power against Phoenix, as Anthony Davis is reportedly sidelined for multiple weeks with a foot injury. For the season, the 29-year-old is averaging 27.4 points, 12.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game.
NBA Rumors: Kings GM Monte McNair Expected to Receive New Contract in Early 2023
Dec 19, 2022
SACRAMENTO, CA - JUNE 21: Mike Brown the new Head Coach of the Sacramento Kings and GM Monte McNair pose for a photo after a press conference on June 21, 2022 at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Sacramento Kings are reportedly expected to sign general manager Monte McNair to a contract extension.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported the new deal will likely be announced in early 2023.
McNair is in the final season of a contract he originally signed in September 2020.
The Kings have not had a winning season during McNair's tenure, but they're in the midst of a promising turnaround. They currently sit 16-12 heading into Monday's game against the Charlotte Hornets and are in fifth place in the wide-open Western Conference.
Sacramento is 2.5 games out of being the No. 1 seed in the West and only five games ahead of the 13th-place Oklahoma City Thunder. The narrow race could be playing a part in ownership slow-playing McNair's contract extension. The Kings are a quick skid away from turning a promising season into another Kangs catastrophe.
The installation of Mike Brown as head coach has been a clear win for McNair, but there have been several questionable calls along the way. Including Tyrese Haliburton in a trade for Domantas Sabonis will never look smart regardless of how well Sabonis is playing, and first-round pick Keegan Murray has not been a consistent force despite being drafted in part for his potential for instant impact.
With Jaden Ivey and Bennedict Mathurin looking like better prospects at a younger age, it's fair to wonder if McNair made the right call.
With that said, even a modicum of success is better than the complete lack of it that the Kings have been dealing with for nearly two full decades. McNair has done enough to earn an extension, even if it isn't a particularly long one.
ESPN: Suns Employees Say Misconduct Within Organization Went Beyond Robert Sarver
Dec 19, 2022
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - OCTOBER 13: Phoenix Suns and Mercury owner Robert Sarver attends Game Two of the 2021 WNBA Finals at Footprint Center on October 13, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Mercury defeated the Sky 91-86 in overtime. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Some employees within the Phoenix Suns believe majority governor Robert Sarver wasn't the only person responsible for fostering a toxic environment within the organization, according to ESPN's Baxter Holmes.
One source told Holmes that Sarver "created the culture" and other high-ranking team executives "upheld it":
"In interviews with more than two dozen current and former Suns employees, ESPN confirmed specific accounts of alleged misconduct by [team president Jason Rowley] and other Suns executives in the report â and uncovered additional allegations, including verbal abuse of employees, mistreatment of pregnant and postpartum employees, and other instances of retaliation and intimidation."
The NBA commissioned the law firm of Wachtell Lipton to investigate the workplace atmosphere of the Suns after Holmes first published an in-depth report into the matter in November 2021.
The firm found that Sarver "engaged in conduct that clearly violated common workplace standards, as reflected in team and League rules and policies." That included using the N-word on at least five occasions, verbal mistreatment of employees and demonstrating "inequitable conduct toward female employees."
As a result of the inquiry, Sarver was fined $10 million and suspended from all league-related business for one year, a punishment many felt was too light given the severity of the allegations.
Amid continued scrutiny, the 61-year-old announced in September he planned to sell the Suns and the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.
In general, Sarver was singled out for his behavior, but the Wachtell Lipton report alluded to issues beyond ownership:
"Many witnesses nonetheless expressed the view that Sarver was responsible for the problematic behavior of other employees and the HR department's defects because of the 'tone at the top' he set through his own conduct. This hypothesis is difficult to test, but it warrants mention because so many witnesses advanced it in such consistent terms. Many current and former executives and employees told investigators they believed Sarver's conduct had a trickle-down effect: he behaved poorly toward his direct reports, and those reports in turn felt they had license to mistreat their own reports."
In one example, a female employee told Wachtell Lipton she encountered resistance when trying to get her maternity leave approved. Shortly after returning to work, she was fired. Wachtell Lipton said that "male team executives tried to terminate the female employee while she was on leave" but chose to wait based on advice from a female supervisor.
According to Holmes, Rowley was one of the male executives who wanted to fire the employee while she was on leave.
Wachtell Lipton also cited an "institutional failure" in 2019 after a female employee reported having her buttocks grabbed by a representative of a team sponsor on a work trip. Not only did the Suns fail to take any action against the sponsor representative, despite the female employee reporting the incident, she also had to continue working at events with the representative.
Holmes reported that Rowley, chief revenue officer Dan Costello, general counsel Melissa Goldenberg and Kyle Pottinger, the senior vice president of ticket sales and service, were aware of the allegation.
In a statement to Holmes, the Suns said his reporting had "factual inaccuracies and/or [was] deprived of important context necessary to understand the totality of situations that are complicated and matters of some dispute."
In terms of potential consequences for powerful officials within the organization, Holmes cited one hurdle.
Per the ESPN report, interim governor Sam Garvin doesn't have the authority to unilaterally fire Rowley, Costello or chief financial officer Jim Pitman. Sarver's written approval is needed to make any changes to the roles of CEO, CRO and CFO.
The Suns issued a statement in response to the report:
NBA spokesperson Mike Bass told Holmes the league is continuing to look into alleged employee misconduct within the Suns.
"Both the sales process of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury and the review of alleged misconduct by others at the organization are ongoing," he said. "That review will remain an internal personnel matter."
Lakers Front Office Face Grim Options After Anthony Davis Injury
Dec 19, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 13: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during a 122-118 BostonCeltics overtime win at Crypto.com Arena on December 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers entered trade season last week with high hopes of finding a deal to push the franchise back into contention. Instead, Anthony Davis suffered a foot injury on Friday that may derail the season.
Davis is still pursuing treatment options. The Lakers haven't announced the exact nature of the injury, but multiple sources indicate a loss of at least a month, optimistically.
If Davis misses extended time, the team may put the brakes on any serious trade negotiationâat least when considering moves that involve one or both of their available first-round picks (2027 and 2029). Even before Davis was hurt, the team was conflicted internally about sacrificing its future for anything that didn't catapult the franchise back into contention.
Davis will get a timeline soon, but it may not be apparent by the February 9 trade deadline at what level he'll return. That may lead to the team making cosmetic changes instead of a blockbuster.
The Lakers may look for easier options like a cheaper free-agent center (perhaps DeMarcus Cousins) or whatever the team can bring back for Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn and second-round draft considerations.
A Tough Market
Last year, the Lakers found an inflated trade market at the deadline, with teams looking at the pressure LeBron James puts on a franchise to "win now."
When L.A. tried to acquire Bojan BogdanoviÄ from the Utah Jazz before this season, the asking price was a first-round pick. Eventually, BogdanoviÄ was sent by the Jazz to the Detroit Pistons for Kelly Olynyk and Saben Lee without a first.
That's just the Lakers' current reality. They're in a position where they need to pay a premium to improve. The Davis injury only increases the perception of desperation that will jack up prices even higher.
That's not to suggest L.A. is unique. Making deals in the NBA is a challenge. While trade season may unofficially start on December 15 (when most recently signed free agents are eligible to be dealt), most deals wait until the last minute as teams tend to start negotiations with unrealistic demands.
One executive described the annual NBA trade market: "December prices are astronomical. In January, prices are high. By February, they're fair."
The problem for the Lakers, in the absence of Davis, is an urgency to act now. You could argue the urgency was actually already there, with the Lakers on the wrong side of the play-in bubble. They're currently in 12th place in the West at 13-16 after Sunday's win over the Washington Wizards.
It's a Catch-22. If Los Angeles isn't overpaying now, teams will just wait until February. But the Lakers may fall out of playoff contention entirely by February without a healthy Davis.
Can they stay in contention without overpaying for a trade? The calculus is different now: Davis may not ever be healthy enough this season to justify a trade.
The Lakers are familiar with Davis' injury history. He recovered from injury in both of the last two seasons, but in 2020-21, he wasn't able to get through the playoffs, and last year, it was simply too late.
Hard to trade away the future facing that reality.
Bulls a Solution?
If the Lakers decide to take the leap as a buyer, it needs a seller willing to give up real talent. One team much of the league has close eyes on is the 11-18 Chicago Bulls, who continue to plummet in the Eastern Conference.
L.A. has coveted DeMar DeRozan, one of the players it chose to pass on over Russell Westbrook in 2021. If the Bulls were willing to move Nikola VuÄeviÄ with DeRozan, the Lakers would have a starting-level, former All-Star center who could hold down the middle in Davis' absence.
CHICAGO, IL - OCTOBER 4: Nikola Vucevic #9, Zach LaVine #8 and DeMar DeRozan #11 of the Chicago Bulls talk during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on October 4, 2022 at United Center in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Jeff Haynes/NBAE via Getty Images)
DeRozan would give the Lakers another elite scorer and underrated playmaker. Still, he's not a great outside shooter, and such a deal would presumably cost the Lakers Westbrook and at least one of its future firsts.
Internally, the Lakers weren't united on the path forward, specifically with what Chicago might have to offer, and that was before losing Davis. And the Bulls may need at least another month to decide its fate, gauge the market and try to extract the highest return.
Bigger Picture
Finally, the Lakers need to look closely at their long-term prospects. The team has improved throughout the season, but if there's no actual trade that makes the franchise a genuine contender, trading away the future to also fall short this season doesn't add up.
If the Lakers wanted to go the Indiana Pacers route with Myles Turner, Buddy Hield (who was the second-choice to Westbrook last year ahead of DeRozan) and perhaps T.J. McConnell, the 15-16 Pacers are still too competitive in the East to let go of critical veterans. Multiple sources believe Indiana may choose to re-sign Turner this summer, and if so, that's a dead end for the Lakers, even with an offer of both first-round picks.
Perhaps a team like the Charlotte Hornets would send a serviceable center like Mason Plumlee for a second-round pick or two (along with Nunn or Beverley).
The Lakers could still go after BogdanoviÄ, but without a first, the return from the Detroit Pistons might be closer to Alec Burks and Nerlens Noel.
New York Knicks forward Cam Reddish is believed to be available, and at least he could be a piece the team looks to retain long-term if this year is a bust.
Kyle Kuzma, the former Laker now with the Wizards, may be available if Washington continues to flounder, but he'd be a more expensive get for L.A.
The San Antonio Spurs may deal Jakob Poeltl, but not to the Lakers for seconds at this early stage. The Orlando Magic cannot legally trade Mo Bamba until January 15.
The Lakers certainly have options, but under the circumstances, most of them involve overpaying with no real certainty that Davis will be whole enough to make a trade matterâat least for a playoff run this season.
Lakers' Anthony Davis Reportedly Out At Least 1 Month With Foot Injury
Dec 18, 2022
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 13: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts during a 122-118 BostonCeltics overtime win at Crypto.com Arena on December 13, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Lakers will be without star center Anthony Davis after he suffered an injury to his right foot.
Per The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania, Davis is expected to miss one month.
Davis was able to stay mostly healthy to start this season. He only missed three of the Lakers' first 28 games. The eight-time All-Star suffered the foot injury during their 126-108 win over the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 16.
After favoring his foot early in the game, Lakers head coach Darvin Ham removed Davis in the first quarter to receive medical attention. He did return in the second quarter, but didn't score during that eight-minute stretch.
Davis sat out the entire second half. ESPN's Dave McMenamin reported he was experiencing "discomfort" in his foot and would likely undergo an MRI.
Durability has been a problem for Davis for most of his tenure with the Lakers. He only played in 76 games over the previous two seasons combined.
Davis is off to arguably the best start of his career so far this season. The 29-year-old is averaging 27.4 points, 12.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game. He is shooting a career-high 59.3 percent from the field.
During a nine-game stretch from Nov. 13-Dec. 4, Davis averaged 35.3 points and 15.6 rebounds per contest.
The Lakers don't have a lot of depth on their roster anyway, let alone enough to compensate for losing one of their two best players. LeBron James will have to shoulder a heavier burden on the offensive end of the court.
Thomas Bryant will replace Davis in the starting lineup for the time being. He's been effective in a limited role, averaging 9.4 points and 4.2 rebounds in 14 appearances.
