Lakers: Davis is cleared to practice, could return next week.
LOS ANGELES » The first fans who ventured into their seats in the bowl of Staples Center early were richly rewarded with a sight very few have seen of late: Anthony Davis taking shots on the court.
Almost two months to the day when he started his latest stretch of missed games, the Lakers’ All-Star big man was sweating into his black headband as he dribbled and pulled up off of passes from assistant coach Mike Penberthy. And it won’t be long before he’s back in the lineup, the team announced Thursday night. For the first time since aggravating his right calf since Feb. 14, Davis has been fully cleared to practice — the step that will allow him to begin “his real ramp up.” Coach Frank Vogel predicted that Davis, who was averaging 22.5 points and 8.4 re- bounds before he got hurt, could return in a week when the Lakers play at Dallas next Thursday.
“He’s eager to get back out, that’s the biggest thing,” Vogel said. “He’s tired of being a patient and ready to be a player again. So, he’s eager to get to work in real practice the next few days – live work – and even more eager to get back on the floor and obviously that’s going to give our whole group a big lift.”
Davis has missed 28 consecutive games, more than he’s played all season (23). Even during the stretch when he could play, Davis acknowledged that he was dealing with a calf injury for much of the season, which affected his Achilles tendon — a notoriously treacherous area for injuries. Vogel said he’s “unlikely” to play in either of two upcoming games against the Utah Jazz (Saturday and Monday), but the Lakers have two off-days before a fourgame trip that could help incorporate the 6-foot-10 forward.
Jordan will present Kobe at Hall of Fame
Back in February 2020, one of the all-time great competitors known for a merciless spirit was reduced to tears when remembering Kobe Bryant, who he called a “little brother” and “close friend.”
“You have a sense of love for him and the way that he can bring out the best in you,” said Michael Jordan, his face streaked as he spoke at Staples Center. “And he did that for me.”
Jordan will do at least one more favor for Bryant on May 15, when he inducts the late star into the Basketball Hall of Fame, a ceremony that has been delayed from 2020 and relocated to Uncasville, Connecticut because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Basketball Hall of Fame presenters are asked to do so by family members in the case of Bryant, who is being inducted posthumously.
Bryant is part of a ninemember class that also includes fellow first-ballot inductees Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, as well as former Lakers and Houston Rockets coach Rudy Tomjanovich. Jordan will also be the presenter for Kim Mulkey, the longtime women’s basketball coach at Baylor.