The Los Angeles Lakers could be without star center Anthony Davis when they host the Golden State Warriors in Game 6.
Anthony Davis injury updateDavis was suspected to have suffered a concussion after he was inadvertently struck in the head by Warriors' center Kevon Looney in the fourth quarter of the Lakers' 121-106 Game 5 loss.
Anthony Davis did not return to Game 5 after getting hit in the head by Kevon Looney. pic.twitter.com/2bOZ2h9U7q
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) May 11, 2023Davis was badly shaken by the incident, making his way to the bench in pain before heading to the locker room in a wheelchair. Davis would not return to the game.
Lakers center Anthony Davis went to locker room in wheelchair after being elbowed in the face. Lakers GM Rob Pelinka and Davis’ agent Rich Paul are huddled by the visiting locker room.
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpears) May 11, 2023Turner Sports' Chris Haynes reported that Davis was being evaluated at Chase Center, with the possibility of a concussion looming as a potential diagnosis.
MORE: Live updates, stats from Warriors Game 5 win over Lakers
NBA concussion protocolIf Davis did suffer a concussion he will be subject to the NBA's Concussion Policy.
The NBA Concussion Policy outlines the steps required for a player to return to participation. Within these steps is an exertion process of physical activity, which a player cannot begin until 24 hours after sustaining the concussion.
The worry for Davis and the Lakers is the fact that Game 6 is scheduled for Friday, May 12 at 10 p.m. ET, just 48 hours after Davis sustained his head knock.
Early diagnosis indicates Anthony Davis appears to have avoided a concussion and is doing much better now, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) May 11, 2023However, if Davis is diagnosed with a concussion, he will be required to complete the NBA return-to-participation exertion process:
Several steps of increasing exertion — from a stationary bike to jogging, to agility work, to non-contact team drills. With each step, a focused neurological examination is performed. A player must be symptom-free to move to the next step. If a player is not symptom-free after a step, he stops until he is symptom-free and begins again at the last step he passed without any symptoms.There is no timeframe to complete the above process, meaning Davis could be ruled ineligible for Game 6.
While he didn't see the initial contact, LeBron James was concerned for his teammate but was comforted by news from the Lakers' medical staff that Davis was doing better.
LeBron on his level of concern about AD:
"I didn’t see the (elbow from Looney), I just saw the aftermath. The medical team said he’s doing better, so that’s what matters the most.”
In more good news for Lakers fans; Davis walked out of Chase Center without assistance and looked much better than when he prematurely exited the game.
Lakers’ Anthony Davis (head injury) walks out of Chase Center after Game 5 loss to Warriors pic.twitter.com/hJH9r027zW
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) May 11, 2023Davis will be reevaluated before Game 6.
MORE: LeBron James hobbled after ankle tweak in Game 5
When is Lakers vs. Warriors Game 6? Date: Friday, May 12 Time: 10 p.m. ET | 7 p.m. PT TV channel: ESPN Live streaming: Sling TVGame 6 of Lakers vs. Warriors will be played on Friday, May 12. The game will be held at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Lakers vs. Warriors will tip off around 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. local time). Tip-off of Lakers vs. Warriors will begin after the conclusion of Game 6 between the Knicks and Heat, which is set to tip off around 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday night.
Game 6 of Lakers vs. Warriors will air on ESPN. Viewers in the United States can also stream the game on Sling TV.
Fans in the U.S. can watch the NBA Playoffs on Sling TV, which is now offering HALF OFF your first month! Stream Sling Orange for $20 in your first month to catch all the games on TNT, ESPN & ABC. For games on NBA TV, subscribe to Sling Orange & Sports Extra for $27.50 in your first month. Local regional blackout restrictions apply.
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Lakers vs. Warriors schedule Date Game/Result Time (ET) TV channel May 2 Lakers 117, Warriors 112 10 p.m. TNT May 4 Warriors 127, Lakers 100 9 p.m. ESPN May 6 Lakers 127, Warriors 97 8:30 p.m. ABC May 8 Lakers 104, Warriors 101 10 p.m. TNT May 10 Warriors 121, Lakers 106 10 p.m. TNT May 12 Game 6 TBD ESPN May 14 Game 7* TBD ABC*If necessary
