In Los Angeles, Anthony Davis was declared unfit to play in the Lakers’ critical matchup against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday evening due to suffering from a headache and nausea, as officially announced by the team approximately an hour and 45 minutes before the game commenced.
Davis had to sit out a significant portion of the Lakers’ recent 127-117 defeat to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday, following an exacerbation of a left eye injury sustained from an accidental blow to the face by Kyle Anderson of the Timberwolves during a putback play.
Lakers coach Darvin Ham emphasized the importance of the game during his pregame comments on Tuesday, highlighting Davis’s earnest attempts to take the court despite his health issues.
Adding to the Lakers’ concerns, LeBron James, their star forward, did not participate in the team’s walkthrough at the arena on Tuesday afternoon. Ham mentioned that James’s availability would be determined just before game time, as he is marked as questionable for the Warriors matchup after missing Sunday’s game against the Timberwolves due to flu-like symptoms.
Despite intending to play on Sunday, James was forced to withdraw before the game’s start due to illness.
Regarding James’s recovery, Ham noted that he has been focused on getting plenty of rest and staying hydrated since the loss to the Timberwolves.
As the 9th-seeded team in the Western Conference, the Lakers currently hold a 1 1/2-game advantage over the 10th-seeded Warriors. However, the Warriors hold a 2-1 lead in the season series, emphasizing the significance of potential player absences for the Lakers.
