The Lakers' success largely depends on the availability of star forward Anthony Davis.
Davis, who missed extended time during the regular season, suffered an apparent right arm injury in the first half of the Lakers' meeting with the Grizzlies in the opening round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. While he exited the game, he was cleared to return to the floor, which is a positive sign for the team moving forward.
What does this mean for Davis and the Lakers as the playoffs get underway? Here's what we know about his status.
What is Anthony Davis' injury?
Late in the first half of Game 1 of the Lakers' first-round series with the Grizzlies, Davis got tangled with Jaren Jackson Jr. while going for a rebound. Davis immediately grabbed his right arm and told LA's sideline "I can't move my arm."
According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Davis "is believed to have sustained a stinger on his right arm."
Here is the play where it happened:
Davis' availability will largely depend on the severity of his injury. According to Michael Hisey, an orthopedic surgeon from the Texas Back Institute, a stinger "is the term used to describe symptoms from a certain type of impact injury to the neck," which usually is described as a burning pain or feeling like an electric shock shooting down the arm."I can't move my arm."
— The Sporting News (@sportingnews) April 16, 2023
Anthony Davis left the game and headed to the locker room before the end of the half🙏 pic.twitter.com/tABaGh20IC
According to The Athletic's Shams Charania, Davis is available to return to Game 1 against the Grizzlies after sustaining the injury.
Below is a full schedule for the Grizzlies vs. Lakers playoff series.
| Date | Game | Venue | Time (ET) | Channel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunday, April 16 | 1 | FedExForum | 3 p.m. | ABC |
| Wednesday, April 19 | 2 | FedExForum | 7:30 p.m. | TNT |
| Saturday, April 22 | 3 | Crypto.com Arena | 10 p.m. | ESPN |
| Monday, April 24 | 4 | Crypto.com Arena | TBD | TBD |
| Wednesday, April 26 | 5* | FedExForum | TBD | TBD |
| Friday, April 28 | 6* | Crypto.com Arena | TBD | TBD |
| Sunday, April 30 | 7* | FedExForum | TBD | TBD |
* if necessary