Game 5 of the NBA Finals between the LA Lakers and Miami Heat was one of the best big star duels of all time. LeBron James and Jimmy Butler went toe to toe, spectacular play after spectacular play, until both exhausted by games end.
With media and sports analysts focusing their initial post game reaction with play of James and Butler, discussions soon circled the injury that Anthony Davis suffered late 1st quarter.
With a minute to go in the first, Kyle Kuzma launched a corner airball three, with Davis battling Andre Iguodala under the ring for the rebound. Though not clear, it appeared that Davis may have twisted his ankle on Iguodala’s foot, re-injuring a sprain suffered against the Denver Nuggets in the Western Conference Finals.
Remarkably, Davis continued to play throughout Game 5 ending with the statistics of 42 minutes play time, 28 points (9 of 15 from the field), 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks. These stats are fantastic, but most telling was the hobbling during quarter 4. Davis was in pain which clearly limited his mobility.
Is this a sign of an injury was that minor, or is this a star player pushing through the pain barrier?
Davis is officially listed as probable for Game 6, which is less than 42 hours after Game 5. The turnaround time, doesn’t allow much for recovery. Therefore, should Davis even play, we suspect it will be for limited minutes.