LA Lakers Take A Risk And Decided To Bench Anthony Davis

Right now, the Los Angeles Lakers are ranked 10th among the teams in the Western Conference. If the regular season were to end today, this position would make them eligible for the play-in tournaments. Basically, it means they would have to compete in some extra games to make it to the playoffs.

Just so you know, the Los Angeles Lakers have already played 70 games out of the 82 games scheduled for this season. Their record right now is 34 wins and 36 losses, which gives them a winning percentage of 0.486.

Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ recent victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, head coach Darvin Ham revealed to reporters during the post-game press conference that Anthony Davis wouldn’t be taking part in the team’s next game versus the Houston Rockets.

Although Davis isn’t currently experiencing any discomfort, the organization has made the call to rest him for this game. This decision is aimed at avoiding the risk of him playing in two consecutive games, which could potentially cause injury.

With the season now in its critical stages, every single game is vital in determining whether or not the Los Angeles Lakers will qualify for the play-in tournaments and ultimately the playoffs. In this context, resting Anthony Davis could have more negative consequences than initially thought.

This was proven in their most recent game against the Houston Rockets, who are presently the lowest-ranked team in the Western Conference with a record of 16-52. Unfortunately, the Lakers lost this game 114-110, with Anthony Davis not playing.

As things stand, the Lakers have played one more game than the Utah Jazz and New Orleans Pelicans, who are currently ranked 11th and 12th in the Western Conference standings. If the Jazz triumph in their next game, which is a direct clash against the Lakers, they could potentially move up the standings and overtake the Lakers’ spot.

Sadly for the Lakers, they’ll have to navigate this tough period without the services of LeBron James, who’s out indefinitely due to a foot injury. With James sidelined, it’s now up to Anthony Davis and the rest of the team to step up and secure their spot in the playoffs.

While it’s sensible to exercise caution with Davis due to his previous injuries, they must also prioritize their immediate needs and focus on winning games to make the playoffs. In basketball, every game is significant, and the Lakers can’t afford to lose crucial games, particularly against teams that are ranked lower than them.

Read more: When Will the 2023 NBA Regular Season Come to an End? A Look at the Final Matchups and Dates to Remember