Lakers’ Anthony Davis Has ‘No Doubt’ About Play-In Tournament Status After Back Injury

Karl Rasmussen | Apr 14, 2024

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis / Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis picked up a back injury during the team's final game of the regular season, a win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

After absorbing some contact to his back from Larry Nance Jr., Davis was walking gingerly and checked out of the game. He did not return.

In the locker room after the game, Davis said that he hyperextended his back and was dealing with spasms, but indicated he had "no doubt" about his availability for the Lakers' play-in tournament tilt against the Pelicans on Tuesday.

"I got shoved in the back, my back just locked up on me. Nothing concerning... I was in the air, so, obviously it's a dangerous play, I know [Nance] is not a dirty player," said Davis to reporters. "No doubt that I'm going to play. ... Get some treatment, keep it loose, just see how I feel over the next 24-36 hours."

Anthony Davis called the push from Larry Nance Jr. a “dangerous play” but said there was “no doubt” he will be ready to play in the play-in game on Tuesday pic.twitter.com/WhFeDjm12o

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 14, 2024

Fortunately for Davis and Los Angeles, Tuesday's game will be in New Orleans, where they just wrapped up the regular season. As such, the team won't be required to travel, giving Davis more time to recuperate ahead of the play-in tournament.

Across 33 minutes in Sunday's game, Davis, up against his former team, scored a game-high 30 points, along with 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals. Though he gave fans something of a concern when he went down with the back injury, he made clear that he is expecting to suit up on Tuesday.