Lakers Injury Report: Lingering Eye Issue To Blame For Anthony Davis' Early Departure

Matt Levine | Apr 8, 2024

Sometimes all it takes is one tiny moment to change the trajectory of a season for a team. On Sunday evening, the Los Angeles Lakers were looking strong without star LeBron James against the top-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves. His co-star Anthony Davis was putting on another solid performance, but one hand to the eye of Davis changed everything.

Davis was poked in the eye again and was forced to leave the game. This is similar to what happened a few weeks ago against the Golden State Warriors, giving the Lakers a deflated feeling. Minnesota took control of the game from there and never looked back.

Anthony Davis is being treated for an eye injury that he previously needed to receive medical attention for after a loss to the Golden State Warriors, a source familiar with the situation told ESPN.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 8, 2024

Thankfully, it seems that much like last time, the injury isn't too serious. Davis is expected to be okay for the team's showdown with the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, giving them a massive boost in a must-win contest.

There is optimism that Anthony Davis will be able to return to the lineup on Tuesday against GSW, a source familiar with the situation told ESPN.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 8, 2024

With the Lakers fighting for playoff seeding, every game is important. They no longer control their own destiny after dropping this game to Minnesota, but they still have time to change their fate.

Los Angeles has three games left on their schedule and will need to win each one of them to at least give themselves a chance to move up in the standings. The team currently sits in 9th place within the Western Conference but is hoping to move up to avoid having to win two games to just reach the official bracket.

The injury to Davis was an unfortunate one, especially given what was at stake. But the team is confident in their abilities to rally and they believe they can do the impossible as the year comes to a close.