Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Barring any setbacks, Anthony Davis will be available for the Lakers in Game 5.
The Los Angeles Lakers have listed Anthony Davis as probable for their Game 5 matchup with the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. Davis exited Monday’s game with back spasms in the second half and didn’t return, but according to Frank Vogel, the decision to hold him out of the game was made out of an abundance of caution.
“He was just moving a little gingerly,” Vogel said of Davis after practice on Tuesday. “I felt like he would loosened up if it were a close game and we needed him to finish, but obviously with the score what it was, we erred on the side of caution.
“Just in talking to him right before I came out here, he feels good to go for tomorrow night. I think we’re going to list him as probable, but he should be good to go tomorrow night.”
Vogel’s comments mirror Davis’s comments to Mike Trudell of Spectrum SportsNet after the game on Monday:
“The back is fine. It got a little tight. Coach didn’t want to risk it and we were playing basketball and had a big enough lead where I was still kind of keeping it loose just in case I needed to go back in, but the team did a great job of making sure that I could get my back all the way healthy. I’ll be fine. The back is good.”
Davis even went as far as to say there’s a “100%” chance he’ll play in Game 5, so if Vogel’s comments weren’t convincing enough for you, that should be enough to inspire confidence.
Despite playing just 17:36 on Monday, Davis tallied 18 points — tied for the second-most points on the team with Kyle Kuzma — 5 rebounds and 2 blocks, and posted the highest plus-minus (+37) on the team. The Lakers also had an offensive rating of 177.8 and a defensive rating of 73 when Davis was on the court in Game 4. Suffice to say, they’ll be happy to have him available for a potential elimination game.
Meanwhile, Vogel said Rondo is “still banged up” and isn’t likely to suit up on Wednesday. The Lakers have officially listed him as doubtful.
The Lakers and Trail Blazers will tip-off Wednesday at 6 p.m. PT on TNT nationally and Spectrum SportsNet locally.
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