Lakers star Anthony Davis cleared for practice, nearing a return

The Los Angeles Lakers continue to slide in the Western Conference following a 121-113 loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday night. However, it seems like they'll be getting some help very soon. 

Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said after the game that star Anthony Davis has been cleared for full-contact practice and he's closing in on a return, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

Davis is "unlikely" to play the team's next two games against the Utah Jazz, though Vogel added it is "not out of the question" for him to return either tomorrow or Monday. 

"Whenever it is that he returns, it's not going to be a full return to playing 30-something minutes a night," Vogel said. "Especially with the nature of practice and how shorthanded we are, he's going to have to use some games to try to get himself back in shape. So the first two games he's back will likely be short-minute performances."

Davis has been dealing with a calf strain and Achilles tendinosis that has sidelined him for the past two months. The 28-year-old hasn't played since February 14. 

When Davis has been on the court this season, though, he has been solid, averaging 22.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and three assists per game while shooting 53.3% from the field and 29.3% from deep. With the eight-time All-Star in the lineup, the Lakers are 17-6. 

L.A. is 13-14 in the 27 straight games Davis missed entering Thursday, sliding from second in the Western Conference to fifth.

The Lakers have also been without LeBron James, who is dealing with an ankle sprain.