Los Angeles Lakers All-Star big-man Anthony Davis will be held out of the team's pivotal Game 5 matchup against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday night.
Chris Haynes of TNT and Yahoo Sports reported Davis' status about an hour before the 7 p.m. PT tip-off.
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) June 2, 2021
Markieff Morris will start in Davis' place, per The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Lakers-Suns Game 5, starters/refs/inactives
Markieff Morris in >>> Anthony Davis out pic.twitter.com/FGechCls36
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) June 2, 2021
Opportunity..
— Keef Morris (@Keefmorris) May 31, 2021
Davis suffered a Grade-1 left groin strain in the second quarter of the Lakers' 100-92 Game 4 loss on Sunday Staples Center. His diagnosis was confirmed via MRI on Monday.
Initial reports ruled Davis' status as “day-to-day”, which Frank Vogel confirmed in his press availability after the Lakers practice on Monday. Davis, like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (knee soreness) was listed as questionable for Game 5.
Davis was seen warming up on the court of the Phoenix Suns Arena prior to the decision to hold him out. During his simultaneous pre-game press conference, Vogel said Davis was a “game-time decision” and the team had been doing everything in their power to get the groin ready for action.
This is about the level of intensity we’ve seen from AD since he came onto the court. He just headed back to the tunnel. pic.twitter.com/pfTzdaiOE2
— Bill Oram (@billoram) June 2, 2021
Davis also working his way back from a knee sprain on the same leg, though Vogel said the groin is the more concerning injury now.
“The groin is a bigger priority,” he said. “I don't believe the knee is an issue. He was playing with a little bit of soreness in the knee the other night so it's really about the groin right now.”
Vogel said the Lakers' medical staff would only clear Davis if there was no risk of worsening the injury.
He also confirmed reports that KCP will play after missing Game 4.
Time for the rest of the Lakers to step up for the biggest game of the season.
Game 6 is on Thursday in Los Angeles.
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