Nine-time Los Angeles Lakers All-Star center/power forward Anthony Davis missed Los Angeles’ 131-114 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night due to a left heel injury. In the absence of Davis and starting forward Rui Hachimura, All-NBA teammate LeBron James was forced to step up.

The 20-time All-Star forward scored a game-high 39 points on 15-of-24 shooting from the field (6-of-11 from the 3-point line) and 3-of-4 shooting from the foul line. seven rebounds, dished out six dimes and had a steal in the losing effort. Guards Austin Reaves (19 points) and D’Angelo Russell (12 points, in just 21:33) plus newly promoted sixth forward Cam Reddish (15 points) were the only other double-digit scorers for Los Angeles.

Backup center Jaxson Hayes started for Davis, scoring eight points while shooting 3-of-6 from the floor and 2-of-2 from the foul line, while grabbing 10 rebounds. Two-way center Christian Koloko made his first NBA appearance since his 2022-23 rookie season, having recently been cleared by the league to suit up after being on the shelf all of last year with blood clots. He played 13:20 and scored two points and two rebounds.

Now, ESPN’s Shams Charania has revealed more about the exact nature of the ailment and how long the 6-foot-10 superstar has been dealing with it.

“The Lakers are hopeful that Anthony Davis will play on ESPN on Friday against the 76ers,” Charania said. “This is a nagging foot injury for him, a heel injury, that he’s been dealing with since the end of last season. Over the summer, (he) played with it at the Olympics. And they’re confident “There’s nothing structurally wrong there, but (it’s) something you’re going to have to manage, pain tolerance-wise, and they’re hoping that those 24 or 48 hours off that foot will help you deal with tomorrow.”

Davis, 31, is currently the NBA’s leading scorer, so it’s understandable that his absence will be keenly felt. He’s also a member of the 2024 all-defensive team, and his help around the basket specifically had anchored Los Angeles on that end of the floor. This year, the Kentucky product is averaging 32.6 points on 57.1 percent field goal shooting and 78.6 percent free throw shooting, 11.6 points, 3.0 assists and 1.7 blocks per night. .

“(Lakers head coach) JJ Redick said last night that they expect Anthony Davis to try on Friday, but he’s someone that, even without him last night, you have a hard time with,” Charania said. “You see this Lakers team really struggling without Anthony Davis. He’s been dominant on both ends of the floor. So they’re hoping to get him back in the lineup this weekend.”

If Davis returns Friday night against Philadelphia, he will play against his former Lakers teammate Andre Drummond in the paint. Philadelphia All-Star center Joel Embiid is currently serving a three-game suspension and will not be available until next week.

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