Anthony Davis damage replace: Lakers star plans to return vs. Mavericks, will probably be on minutes restriction

Take a deep breath, Lakers followers. Assistance is on the best way within the type of an eight-time All-Star.
Los Angeles ahead Anthony Davis instructed reporters Wednesday that he plans to play Thursday towards Dallas so long as he feels good coming off form. Davis had been sidelined for greater than two months after reaggravating his proper Achilles tendonosis and struggling a calf pressure in a Feb. 14 loss to Denver.
MORE: Kobe Bryant’s property elects to not prolong partnership with Nike
Davis now feels “one hundred pc wholesome” and able to play, however LA will probably be taking a cautious method with the 28-year-old. Lakers coach Frank Vogel says Davis will probably be on a minutes restriction as he builds up his conditioning and regains his type down the ultimate stretch of the 2020-21 common season.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel plans to begin Anthony Davis and maintain him to a 15-minute restriction for tomorrow’s recreation in Dallas
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 21, 2021
Lakers coach Frank Vogel stated Anthony Davis’ minutes restriction is “going to be evaluated on a game-to-game foundation primarily based on how he feels.” However Vogel expects it’s going to “take a number of video games” for AD to shed rust and get again to how he was taking part in earlier than his damage
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) April 21, 2021
Vogel added that LeBron James, who hasn’t performed since spraining his ankle towards the Hawks on March 20, stays out indefinitely. There is no such thing as a new timetable on when he may return to the beginning lineup.
The Lakers have managed to keep away from sliding into the vary of the Western Convention play-in event, however they’ve unsurprisingly struggled to win constantly with out their two greatest gamers. Davis ought to present a lift for a Los Angeles group that has gone 7-9 since James’ damage.
The Lakers are 17-6 (.739 win pct) when Anthony Davis performs this yr, outscoring opponents by over 7 factors per recreation.
They’re simply 18-17 (.514 win pct) when he doesn’t play, outscoring opponents by 1.5 factors per recreation. https://t.co/hTwAZWERu7
— ESPN Stats & Data (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 21, 2021
In 23 video games this season, Davis is averaging 22.5 factors, 8.4 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.8 blocks and 1.3 steals.