Report: Lakers Have Change Of Heart On Anthony Davis' "Load Management"

The Los Angeles Lakers have been roasted of late for "protecting" Anthony Davis—to the point of not allowing him to play in back-to-backs. That modus operandi cost them a crucial game last week. Now, they've apparently had a change of heart on Davis's use.  

Chris Haynes reports that Anthony Davis WILL play in the next back to back pic.twitter.com/ArN8mY82dn

— imymarc ✦ (@revivemarc) March 20, 2023

In fact, as explained by NBA Insider Chris Haynes on his #thisleague podcast with fellow insider Marc Stein, Davis was only allowed to pick one back-to-back to play in. He's made his choice. 

The way it was explained to me was that AD had to pick which back-to-back to play in: The back-to-back last week, (or) their last back-to-back ... April 4 in Utah, and then April 5 Clippers. How it was explained to me is that AD will play in that back-to-back, so that would be his first back-to-back since returning from injury... Again, hopefully he doesn’t suffer an injury before that, but if he’s healthy, he will play in that back-to-back. Which they need that set of games at that part of the season.

That's an understatement. The Lakers are 35-37, tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for the 9th and 10th seeds in the West—the final two play-in spots. But the Utah Jazz are in a virtual tie in the 11-spot, and have two games in hand. In addition, the New Orleans Pelicans are just a half-game back of those three teams. Each win and each loss makes for a wild swing in the standings. 

This is why, as Haynes noted, Davis "received some flack" for sitting out last week's very winnable game against the Houston Rockets on the second night of a back-to-back, which the Lakers lost. One look at the standings tells you that it was a huge (and unnecessary) loss. 

It appears that type of decision won't happen again this season. 

 Photo: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports