The sound of nearly 18,000 people gasping in unison was loud and strong, and infused with fear and dread.
Anthony Davis, back in the Lakers' lineup Wednesday after missing 20 games because of a bone spur and stress injury in his right foot, had fallen in a heap to the court at Crypto.com Arena after taking a jump shot and coming down on the foot of Spurs defender Zach Collins near the end of the third quarter. Davis reached for his right ankle, which had twisted beneath him. Lakers fans reached for their suddenly racing hearts.
Not again, they said with that dramatic intake of breath. Not another injury to add to Davis' lengthy medical chart and make the Lakers' already difficult season more challenging. Could Davis have come back for only a few tantalizing minutes and then get hurt again?
