The final day of the 2023-24 NBA regular season went about as well as possible for the Los Angeles Lakers on the court. They defeated the New Orleans Pelicans, which put them in eighth place in the Western Conference.
Being in eighth place means the Lakers will be on the road for the first game of the NBA Play-In Tournament, but if they happen to lose, they will have a second chance at advancing. Whoever loses the Play-In Game between them and the Pelicans in a rematch will host the second game winner between the Sacramento Kings and Golden State Warriors.
However, there were some concerns about how healthy the Lakers would be heading into the rematch with the Pelicans during the week. Late in Los Angeles’ 124-108 win, Anthony Davis was shoved in the back, resulting in him needing treatment for back spasms.
It was an unfortunate end to what has been the healthiest season in Davis’ career. He appeared in 76 games, breaking his previous high of 75 games which he accomplished twice.
However, he has no plans of missing the NBA Play-In Game against New Orleans. “No doubt that I’m going to play,” Davis said after his monster performance on Sunday.
Davis finished the game with 30 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals in his 33 minutes of action. He spoke about the play the game, as Larry Nane Jr. pushed him in the back as he went up for an offensive rebound with 5:52 remaining.
“I was in the air,” Davis said. “Obviously it’s a dangerous play. I know he’s not a dirty player.” He added that the shove resulted in “hyperextension” when he landed, adding that his “back just locked up.”, per ESPN.
Had the game been closer, Davis said he would have pushed himself to stay on the court and help his team get an important victory. But, with his Lakers already having control being up by 21, they opted to play it safe.
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