Lakers star Anthony Davis could return before postseason

Anthony Davis could return to action as early as the first week of April, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reports.

The Lakers star big man has been rehabbing for more than a month after suffering a right foot strain on February 16. His projected timetable at that time was four to six weeks.

Coach Frank Vogel said Davis is “coming along really well,” sideline reporter Mike Trudell reports.

The Lakers entered Thursday in ninth place in the Western Conference, a half-game ahead of the Pelicans. The 11th-place Spurs are only two games behind the Lakers in the loss column.

In terms of the play-in round, Vogel said, “We’re hopeful those two games will be played with Anthony Davis,” per Ryan Ward of Lakers Nation.

The Lakers, who played without LeBron James in their loss to Philadelphia on Wednesday, don’t play again until Sunday. Overall, they have nine regular-season games remaining and five from April 3-10.