Lakers' Anthony Davis exits game with Wolves after first quarter

Field Level Media|published: Sun 7th April, 23:41 2024

Apr 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) covers his face after he was hit by Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kyle Anderson (1) going up for a dunk in the first half at Crypto.com Arena. credits: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis played just one quarter during Sunday's game against the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves and was ruled out for the remainder of the game at halftime after taking a blow to the left eye.

Davis, who scored four points with four rebounds in 12 minutes, was hit near the eye by the Timberwolves' Kyle Anderson while he delivered a put-back dunk in the final minute of the opening period. He left for the locker room before the second quarter started and never returned.

The Lakers were already without star LeBron James (flu-like symptoms) for the game.

Davis' injury situation was nearly identical to a March 16 loss to the Golden State Warriors, when Davis took a glancing blow to the left eye and did not return for the final three quarters. He was able to come back two days later in a victory over the Atlanta Hawks.

Davis entered averaging 24.7 points per game and led the Lakers with 12.8 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 2.4 blocks.

Los Angeles has just three regular-season games remaining after facing the Timberwolves, with an outside chance of moving up to the No. 6 spot and avoiding the play-in tournament in the Western Conference.

—Field Level Media