Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis left Sunday night’s 123-103 win over the Toronto Raptors because of a left eye injury. The nine-time All-Star will have the eye examined by an ophthalmologist on Monday as a “precautionary” measure, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis will see an ophthalmologist after sustaining a gruesome left eye poke
Davis, 31, headed to the locker room midway through the third quarter after getting hit in the face while blocking a dunk attempt by Raptors center Jakob Poeltl. Davis made a one-handed block of Poeltl’s dunk attempt in the lane, but Poeltl’s off hand hit Davis in the face and eyes.
The 6-foot-10 Davis then fell to the court, wincing in pain on the ground with his hands on his face. He stayed down for about a minute before getting up and walking to the Lakers’ locker room.
Sources told ESPN that Lakers big man Anthony Davis experienced swelling as a result of the contact by Jakob Poeltl, making it difficult to keep his left eye open. Davis will have the eye examined by an ophthalmologist Monday, sources told ESPN, as a “precautionary” measure.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 11, 2024
Per McMenamin’s sources, the 13-year veteran later experienced swelling as a result of the contact, making it difficult to keep his left eye open. Davis suffered a corneal abrasion to the same eye in March.
“I just know that he got poked in it,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said of Davis’ eye injury. “He was having trouble seeing. Obviously taking a little bit of trauma to the eye, it takes a little bit of time to get your clear vision back. But other than that, no update.”
Davis is already dealing with foot injuries as well
Jaxson Hayes replaced Davis in the Lakers’ rotation on Sunday and finished with 12 points, six rebounds, one assist, and a block in 21 minutes off the bench.
“I thought Jaxson was amazing tonight, especially that third-quarter [run],” Lakers guard Austin Reaves said. “I thought that he played probably one of his best games since he’s been here. Being active defensively, being a scorer in the pocket, rebounder. I thought he did a lot of really good things.”
As for Davis, the Kentucky product had 22 points, four rebounds and two blocks before exiting against the Raptors. He entered the matchup leading the NBA in scoring, averaging 32.4 points per game.
Anthony Davis with the HUGE block
But gets hit in the eye in the process and is down in pain pic.twitter.com/LPgccXjDm7
— LakeShow Highlights (@LSH_lakeshow) November 11, 2024
Last month, Davis became just the third Lakers player to record back-to-back games with at least 35 points to open an NBA season, joining Jerry West (1969-70) and Elgin Baylor (1962-63).
According to Basketball-Reference, Davis leads the league this season in free throws (81) and free throw attempts (102). He also has six 30-point games already this season.
Davis missed Wednesday’s game in Memphis with a bruised left heel. In addition to heel and eye injuries, the Chicago native has been dealing with plantar fasciitis in his left foot since the end of last season.
However, he played in a career-high 76 games last season. When Davis is healthy, the Lakers are better defensively, can outrebound their opponents, and raise their free throw tally.
