Lakers superstar Anthony Davis faced a setback during Sunday night’s game against the Toronto Raptors. Midway through the third quarter, Davis sustained an eye injury while attempting to block a dunk by Jakob Poeltl. As he defended the rim with his usual intensity, Poeltl’s off-hand accidentally poked Davis in the eye, forcing the Lakers’ nine-time All-Star to exit the game and head to the locker room. Although Davis was ruled out for the rest of the night, the Lakers rallied to secure a 123-103 win without him.
How Davis Was Injured
The injury occurred with 5:16 left in the third quarter. Davis executed an impressive block on Poeltl’s dunk attempt in the lane, thrilling the Lakers’ home crowd. However, the impact left Davis on the ground, visibly in pain and clutching his face. He remained down for a moment before he was helped to the locker room. Lakers coach JJ Redick later confirmed that Davis had difficulty seeing after the hit and described it as “a trauma to the eye.”
Lakers’ Response in Davis’ Absence
With Davis out, LeBron James stepped up to lead the Lakers to victory. James recorded his 115th career triple-double, scoring 19 points along with a season-high 16 assists and 10 rebounds. He acknowledged the extra responsibility with Davis sidelined, saying, “AD is a big-time rebounder, so I had to pick up some of the slack… I take some of that responsibility as well.” The Lakers’ strong finish, led by James, included a decisive 53-30 run over the final 17 minutes of the game.
Contributions from Jaxson Hayes
Replacing Davis in the rotation, Jaxson Hayes made a significant impact, contributing 12 points, six rebounds, and several key plays. Hayes brought energy and a defensive presence to the court, helping maintain the Lakers’ momentum.
Injury History and Future Games
Davis, who has previously dealt with a similar eye injury last March against Golden State, has shown resilience, typically bouncing back quickly. This season, he has been in stellar form, averaging 32.4 points per game and sparking early MVP discussions. His presence is crucial for the Lakers, and fans are hopeful he’ll recover in time for their next game on Wednesday against the Memphis Grizzlies.
With Davis off to one of his best career starts, his health will be essential to the Lakers’ success this season. The team and fans alike will be watching closely, hoping for a quick return.
