Anthony Davis is the best center the Lakers have, arguably the best center in the NBA.
Except he doesn’t want to play center — and this is why. While strong and incredibly athletic, the constant elbows, hacks, and physicality on the block in the NBA wear him down.
Davis’ ribs were bothering him after the Lakers beat the Suns on Tuesday night — X-rays were taken but nothing was found — and so they are going to sit him Wednesday against Golden State, reports Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports.
Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis (shoulder and rib soreness) will not play tonight against the Golden State Warriors, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) November 13, 2019
This was expected and is the smart play — it’s November, there are more than 70 games left in the season, why risk this becoming a chronic issue? Get him healthy, then get Davis out on the court. To use Kawhi Leonard’s phrasing, have him play when his body is ready.
Against a struggling and far more banged up Warriors team, the Lakers will still be favorites.
Davis is averaging 26.3 points and 10.4 rebounds a game this season plus playing elite defense in the paint. More importantly, he has shown a fast chemistry with LeBron James that has made the Lakers a nightmare matchup for opposing teams (something that will make them a very tough playoff out).
