Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) controls the ball as L.A. Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Lakers' Anthony Davis wants to play Thursday vs. Clippers

By Zac Wassink | Last updated Jul 29, 2020 3:29 PM ET

If Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis can make the final decision, he will play in the NBA restart opening night showdown versus the Los Angeles Clippers.

Per ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Davis participated in a Wednesday practice and felt recovered from the eye poke he suffered during Saturday's scrimmage against the Orlando Magic. Davis intends to face the Clippers on Thursday as long as doctors clear him.

"That's the plan, for me to play," Davis said.

The 27-year-old who had been day-to-day since last weekend sat Tuesday's practice out, but he performed during Wednesday's session while wearing protective eyewear. The Defensive Player of the Year candidate isn't sure if he'll require the eyewear on Thursday night.

"It felt very different," Davis said of wearing the protection while on the court.

The Lakers sit at 49-14 and 5.5 games ahead of the Clippers for the conference's top playoff berth, meaning Lakers coach Frank Vogel can take a cautious approach regarding his star's return to in-game action before Thursday's tipoff.

Zac Wassink

Zac Wassink is a longtime sports news writer and PFWA member who began his career in 2006 and has had his work featured on Yardbarker, MSN, Yahoo Sports and Bleacher Report. He is also a football and futbol aficionado who is probably yelling about Tottenham Hotspur at the moment and who chanted for Matt Harvey to start the ninth inning of Game 5 of the 2015 World Series at Citi Field. You can find him on X at @ZacWassink

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