Yahoo Sports Anthony Davis sidelined for Game 5 vs. Suns with groin strain
The Los Angeles Lakers fared poorly after losing Anthony Davis in Game 4 against the Phoenix Suns, and now they'll play Game 5 without him as well.
The Lakers ruled Davis out shortly before tipoff on Tuesday, announcing that Markieff Morris will start in his place.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel told reporters on Monday that an MRI confirmed Davis has a groin strain and that he was initially questionable for Game 5.
Frank Vogel says a MRI confirmed a groin strain for Anthony Davis. He is listed as questionable for Game 5 and the team will see how he is feeling Tuesday after treatment. Adds that the team is “hopeful” that KCP plays
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) May 31, 2021
Davis exited late in the second quarter of Sunday's game after falling to the ground following a lay-up. He had noticeable trouble walking to the locker room, and did not return for the entire second half.
AD still hasn't returned to the game after leaving the 1st half with injury pic.twitter.com/G91dEbk6w5
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) May 30, 2021
The Lakers were behind 51-50 with less than a minute left in the first half when Davis exited. Four minutes into the second half, they were down by 14, and never got back to within striking distance in a 100-92 loss.
During the regular season, the seventh-seeded Lakers were 19-17 in games without Davis, with much of those coming when he was out two months with a calf strain. In games without Davis and with LeBron James, though, they were 11-7.
The Lakers are scheduled to face the Suns in Game 6 on Thursday and Game 7, if necessary, on Saturday. Suns point guard Chris Paul has also been dealing with a shoulder injury, but was able to play 32 minutes on Sunday.
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