David Chao, MD: Should The Lakers Have Let Anthony Davis Play?

With any injury, the big picture needs to be considered. A groin strain, even minor, is never going to completely heal in a few days. Yet, I have no criticism of the Lakers’ decision to play Anthony Davis.

This was an elimination game. His team needed him. No question he was far from 100%, but there was no risk of permanent damage. Sure, the groin strain could have gotten worse, but there was little chance of further injury to the point of needing surgery and no chance any aggravation would affect the upcoming season.

There has been lots of criticism of the Lakers’ medical staff lately. A few days ago, Charles Barkley called AD “street clothes” because he always seems to be sidelined by injury. This time, at halftime, Sir Charles called out the Lakers’ medical staff for allowing Davis to play.

Charles Barkley rightfully called out the Lakers medical staff for letting Anthony Davis warm up and play#PHXvsLAL #NBAPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/BHx29Xd8AO

— Mike Mayer (@offthemike28) June 4, 2021

Predictably, Davis left the game early, and his team was down big in the first quarter. One can’t blame Davis or the Lakers for trying. It seemed clear that, without AD, the Lakers were done anyway. In the end, his groin is no worse for the wear. 

Source: Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis (groin) did not injure his groin strain any further, but the pain intensifies when his mobility is tested.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 4, 2021

There is no reason to point fingers. As expected, Chris Paul’s shoulder re-injury would cause less of a problem than Davis’ groin. The Lakers’ backs were against the wall, and in the end, they tried but were eliminated.

"This was an elimination game. His team needed him. No question he was far from 100%, but there was no risk of permanent damage." – @ProFootballDoc pic.twitter.com/6GegTkPlMC

— OutKick (@Outkick) June 4, 2021

Here’s some of the Twitter reaction. You can see people had mixed opinions on the situation:

Anthony Davis called for his teammates to commit a foul so he could get off the floor, clearly laboring with his groin injury.

LAL trail 14-7 as Kyle Kuzma checks in at the 6:35 mark.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) June 4, 2021

Source: Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis (groin) did not injure his groin strain any further, but the pain intensifies when his mobility is tested.

— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 4, 2021

Anthony Davis (groin strain) will not return to this game.

— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) June 4, 2021

Somebody tell Charles Barkley to pick a damn side. He’s “Street Clothes” Davis when he sits out and he’s ridiculing the medical team for letting him play when he tries to play through it!

Damn if you do, damn if you don’t!

— Kendrick Perkins (@KendrickPerkins) June 4, 2021

The doctor who cleared Anthony Davis pic.twitter.com/tlbLxB5RAe

— Kyle Neubeck (@KyleNeubeck) June 4, 2021

Really wish the Lakers medical staff had just told him no. AD re-aggravating that injury was so predictable

— Gerald Bourguet (@GeraldBourguet) June 4, 2021

Chris Haynes’ pregame report that the Lakers medical staff said Davis’ groin injury couldn’t get worse made absolutely no sense to me.

— Vince Marotta (@Vincemarotta) June 4, 2021

The Lakers medical staff who cleared AD to play… pic.twitter.com/r7JPjeyYKZ

— Brad Evans (@NoisyHuevos) June 4, 2021