PHOENIX SUNS

Anthony Davis waiting to be cleared, is game-time decision for Lakers vs. Suns

Jun 2, 2021, 4:18 PM | Updated: 6:19 pm

Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before Game Five of the Western Conference firs...

Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up before Game Five of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 01, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Los Angeles Lakers forward/center Anthony Davis said Wednesday that the decision on him playing or not in Game 6 versus the Phoenix Suns comes down to the Lakers’ medical staff.

“Getting more treatment tonight (and) tomorrow and kinda talk to the doctors before and after our shootaround and hopefully everything comes back good where they clear me,” Davis said.

Davis and head coach Frank Vogel both said they are still waiting on Davis to get medically cleared from a left groin strain he suffered in the second quarter of Game 4. Davis did not play in Game 5, a 30-point loss for the Lakers.

“We’ll see,” Vogel said. “We’re hopeful that he’s able to get back out there but he’s still dealing with the injury. Making progress but we still don’t know. He’s going to continue to get round-the-clock treatment and hopefully give himself a chance to play but he’s gotta be cleared.”

Vogel said Davis will be a game-time decision again for Thursday’s Game 6 after doing some light work on the court in practice on Wednesday.

The Suns lead the series 3-2 over the Lakers through five games.

Davis was called a game-time decision for Tuesday and was on the court for pregame warmups on two separate occasions. He briefly tested out some lateral movements and didn’t look comfortable doing so before being ruled out.

The eight-time All-Star injured his left knee in Game 3, and Davis confirmed that injury led to the groin strain in Game 4.

“They told me everything is connected and that’s exactly what happened. The groin happened because of the tightness in the knee from the hyperextension,” he said.

The health of Davis and LeBron James was the biggest question entering the series. Davis missed over two months of the regular season because of a calf strain before returning in mid-April. James sprained his right ankle in late March and was out for 27 of his next 29 games. He played in the last two regular season games and the play-in before taking on the Suns.

The duo that carried the Lakers to a championship in the bubble last year has clearly still been affected by injuries and not at 100% against Phoenix. Davis is averaging 21.8 points per game while James is at 22.2. That would be the lowest mark of Davis’ career in a playoff series and the worst for James since 2011.

Phoenix Suns

Jusuf Nurkic...

Damon Allred

Jusuf Nurkic questionable for Suns’ matchup with Thunder; Bradley Beal no longer listed

The Phoenix Suns are listing center Jusuf Nurkic questionable for a matchup with the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.

4 hours ago

Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets is guarded by Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns during th...

Kellan Olson

Suns respond to season’s low point with thorough win over Nuggets

The guessing game of which Suns team shows up on which night persists. The best current version did on Wednesday in a win over the Nuggets.

22 hours ago

Bradley Beal #3 of the Phoenix Suns looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at T...

David Veenstra

Bradley Beal in, Jusuf Nurkic out for Suns’ matchup with Nuggets

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal is active for Wednesday's matchup with the Denver Nuggets while center Jusuf Nurkic is out.

1 day ago

Tyler Kolek, Marquette...

Damon Allred

Here’s who Phoenix Suns fans should watch in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16

The Suns' first round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft sits at No. 19 overall, and they could select a star from the NCAA Tournament.

1 day ago

Phoenix Suns take on San Antonio Spurs...

Arizona Sports

O’Neale: Phoenix Suns took Spurs ‘too lightly’ in glaring loss

The Phoenix Suns' lack of effort was on display Monday night against the San Antonio Spurs, leading to an honest film session.

2 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Royce O’Neale: Suns took Spurs “a little too lightly”

Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale joined Burns & Gambo to talk about the team's disappointing loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday night, and to look ahead at the team's remaining schedule, as they continue to make a push toward the NBA playoffs.

2 days ago

Anthony Davis waiting to be cleared, is game-time decision for Lakers vs. Suns