
In a challenging matchup on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, the Los Angeles Lakers faced a 118-104 defeat against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The game took a significant turn when the Lakers’ star center, Anthony Davis, exited in the first quarter due to an abdominal strain.
Davis, who had been instrumental in the Lakers’ recent performances, played just 10 minutes before walking off the court clutching his abdomen. In that brief period, he contributed four points and two rebounds. This injury follows his remarkable 42-point and 23-rebound effort in a victory over the Charlotte Hornets just the night before.
The Lakers struggled to find their rhythm in Davis’s absence. LeBron James led the team with 28 points, eight rebounds, and six assists, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the 76ers’ balanced attack. Philadelphia capitalized on the Lakers’ weakened interior defense, with Tobias Harris and Tyrese Maxey each scoring 24 points.
LeBron James acknowledged the difficulty of adjusting mid-game after Anthony Davis’s exit, stating, “When our best player goes out, it’s always challenging.” James, who scored 31 points but had nearly as many turnovers (8) as the Sixers (9), added, “If he’s out from the beginning, then we have a game plan set. We know what to expect, we know what our lineup is going to be. But when AD or any one of our guys go down throughout the course of a game, it’s just tough,” as reported by ESPN.
This injury adds to Davis’s list of health concerns this season. Prior to this abdominal strain, he had been managing plantar fasciitis, which had caused him to miss three of the Lakers’ 45 games, as noted by Bleacher Report. Despite these setbacks, Davis has maintained impressive averages of 26.3 points and 12.1 rebounds per game.
The 76ers, on the other hand, showcased depth and resilience. Playing without their star center Joel Embiid, who is serving a suspension, they managed to control the game’s tempo and exploit the Lakers’ vulnerabilities, as noted by Yahoo! Sports. Their bench contributed significantly, adding 38 points to secure the win.
This loss brings the Lakers’ season record to 28-17, positioning them fourth in the Western Conference standings. The team will now travel to face the Memphis Grizzlies on Thursday, January 30. Anthony Davis’s status remains uncertain, and his availability for upcoming games will depend on further medical assessments.
The 76ers improve to 31-14, holding the second spot in the Eastern Conference. They will next host the Miami Heat on Friday, January 31, aiming to extend their current three-game winning streak.
As the season progresses, both teams will need to navigate injuries and maintain momentum to solidify their positions ahead of the playoffs.