Anthony Davis Target Return Date Seems Set

This news couldn't come at a more desperate time for the Los Angeles Lakers. A day after losing their grip on the last play-in spot in the Western Conference, there's word that Anthony Davis is targeting this Friday's critical game against the New Orleans Pelicans for his return. 

The Lakers list LeBron James as out Anthony Davis as doubtful for Thursday’s game in Utah.

— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) March 30, 2022

Davis has missed the last six weeks with a foot sprain, and the Lakers have gone 4-13 since the All-Star Break, and slipped one game behind the Pelicans, and into a tie with the San Antonio Spurs for the 10th and 11th spots in the West. The Spurs hold the tiebreaker.

If Davis can play the final six games of the season (the Lakers also have a game Thursday night that he will miss), they're hoping it could give them some kind of chance to claw back into the play-in. 

Lakers face a daunting schedule down the stretch

However, AD or no AD, LeBron James or no LeBron James, the schedule is not in the Lakers' favor. Not by a long shot. In addition to the game against the Pelicans, their other remaining games are against the Utah Jazz, Denver Nuggets, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Nuggets again. Only the Thunder offer a possible soft touch. 

Complicating matters even more for the Lakers is the fact that LeBron is also currently out with a sprained ankle. 

Photo Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports