LeBron James (Image Credit: X/@mcten)

The Los Angeles Lakers’ strong start to the season seems a distant memory after a 115-103 loss to the Detroit Pistons, marking their third defeat in the past four games. This fall from grace left the team with a 4-3 record, and to make matters worse, Anthony Davis, who had been performing at an MVP level, appeared to aggravate a long-standing injury.

Davis had been carrying the Lakers offensively, averaging 32.6 points per game while providing elite defense. However, midway through the fourth quarter against the Pistons, he landed awkwardly after a foul by Detroit’s Jalen Duren. Davis continued to play through the pain, finishing with a game-high 37 points, but the sight of him grimacing in discomfort raised concerns for the Lakers’ future.

It wasn’t just Davis’ physical condition that would soon become a source of tension for the Lakers. After the game, a reporter’s question on his possible absence visibly irritated LeBron, who had battled through the loss with 20 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists, responding sharply.

“If AD is out? What do you mean?” LeBron responded, sounding both surprised and frustrated. The reporter, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, attempted to clarify, asking how concerned James was about the uncertainty of Davis’ injury and possible absence.

LeBron, visibly upset, retorted, “You want me to answer a question you know the answer to?” When McMenamin pressed further, asking again how concerned James was, LeBron replied, “I’m going second by second.” As the tension mounted, Davis himself, who had been nearby, interjected to calm the situation, “I’m not out,” he said, effectively ending the back-and-forth between the reporter and James.

Lakers Face Uncertainty As Anthony Davis’ Injury Casts Doubt On Championship Hopes

The injury itself is a worrying development. Davis had been managing a left foot issue since this summer, dating back to his time with Team USA during the Paris Olympics. Despite this, he had been performing at an elite level, helping the Lakers maintain high expectations early in the season. After the game, Davis seemed less optimistic about the injury, acknowledging that he had been dealing with pain in the same spot for months.

“I’ll talk to my trainer and just kind of figure out what exactly is going on,” Davis said post-game. “I’ve been managing it since this summer, honestly, and my goal for every game is to be on the floor. And I just kind of landed directly on the spot that’s been killing me. So, we’ll figure it out.”
LeBron James and Anthony Davis (Image Credit: Getty Images)
For the Lakers, Davis’ potential absence presents a huge challenge. James has been leading the charge, but, as he noted, his team’s inconsistency has been an issue. In the loss to the Pistons, LeBron took full responsibility for the team’s shortcomings. “I don’t think we, as a unit, did a good job,” James admitted. “We gotta be better on both sides of the floor.”

Without Anthony Davis, LeBron would shoulder more of the offensive burden, and the Lakers’ defensive issues raise questions about their performance. With championship aspirations at stake, the team is entering a crucial stretch, including a tough road trip, while Davis’ availability for the upcoming game against the Memphis Grizzlies is uncertain. If he misses time, the Lakers will need to lean more on Lebron James to lead them through a challenging season stretch.