On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Philadelphia 76ers with a score of 118-104. However, the more significant loss occurred early in the game when star forward Anthony Davis sustained an abdominal injury that led him to leave the match.

Davis got hurt with 2:10 left in the first quarter, and it quickly became clear that it was not a minor problem.

Here’s the most recent information regarding Davis’ injury.

Anthony Davis Injury: Expected Time Out

The Lakers have announced that Davis will be sidelined for at least one week.

Davis returned to Los Angeles on Wednesday, during the team’s six-game road trip. The soonest he might be back on the court is for the home game against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, February 6.

Sadly, Davis may be out for a longer period than a week. Although the specifics of his injury are not yet disclosed, NBA injury expert Evan Jeffries shared insights on possible recovery timelines on X.

For a Grade I abdominal strain, the recovery is typically 7-10 days, while a Grade II strain could take anywhere from 3-6 weeks to heal, as per Jeffries.

Jeffries emphasizes that the Lakers labeling it a strain so soon is not a promising indicator.

Has Davis Dealt with a Similar Injury Before?

While Davis has faced numerous injuries throughout his career, he has never suffered an abdominal issue that resulted in missed games.

Most of his absences have stemmed from injuries to his ankles, shoulders, and hands/fingers. The closest he has come to this type of injury was in 2018 when he played through a bruised rib, but he did not miss any games for that injury.

Will the Lakers Seek a Replacement for Davis?

Given that Davis will be reassessed in a week, it remains uncertain whether the team will pursue a trade before the February 6 deadline. The Lakers were already looking for more frontcourt depth, but the decision to trade will largely depend on Davis’ recovery timeline.

If it turns out Davis has only a Grade I strain, the team might decide to stick with their current squad. Conversely, if he faces an extended absence that goes beyond the trade deadline, the Lakers could be more motivated to make a deal. Currently, there is only a 3.5-game difference between the Lakers and the 11th-seeded Warriors in the Western Conference, who they will face on February 6.

Sports Illustrated’s Peter Dewey supports this perspective, stating, “It’s possible that Davis’ injury prompts the Lakers to explore options in the trade market for a center.” With potential targets like Nikola Vucevic from Chicago and DeAndre Ayton from Portland, the Lakers have various frontcourt options if they choose to pursue a trade.