Anthony Davis will be sidelined for at least a week after an MRI confirmed an abdominal muscle strain, the Los Angeles Lakers announced. NBA insider Michael Scotto reported that the All-Star forward will be re-evaluated in approximately seven days.
Davis sustained the injury in the first quarter of the Lakers’ 118-104 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. He played just under 10 minutes, finishing with four points and two rebounds before exiting the game.
The Lakers struggled without their defensive anchor, allowing the 76ers to take control with a dominant 48-point second quarter. Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 43 points, extending his streak of 25-point games to 11.
LeBron James did his best to keep the Lakers competitive, posting 31 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists. Rookie Dalton Knecht contributed 24 points off the bench, but Los Angeles never recovered from Philadelphia’s second-quarter explosion.
The loss dropped the Lakers to 26-19 as they continue their East Coast road trip. Davis, who has been averaging 26.3 points and 12.1 rebounds this season, has played a key role in the team’s success.
His absence leaves the Lakers thin in the frontcourt, with Jaxson Hayes and Christian Koloko expected to see increased playing time. Los Angeles has struggled when Davis is off the floor, especially on defense and rebounding.
Philadelphia, now 18-27, snapped a losing skid despite missing Joel Embiid and Paul George. Kelly Oubre Jr. added 20 points and eight rebounds, while Guerschon Yabusele chipped in 14 points.
The Lakers will now focus on managing Davis’ recovery while trying to stay competitive in the Western Conference standings. His status will be closely monitored as Los Angeles looks to avoid a significant slide in his absence.
