Frank Vogel says ‘there’s a possibility’ Anthony Davis will be able to play against Bucks

Anthony Davis is dealing with a right ankle sprain, and it forced him to miss his second game of the season when the Los Angeles Lakers took on the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night. According to head coach Frank Vogel, there is a chance that changes by the time L.A. heads to Milwaukee to take on the Bucks on Thursday.

Vogel was asked by reporters after the Lakers’ 105-102 loss to the Pacers if Davis might play against the Bucks, and he acknowledged that his star big man just might suit up (via Spectrum SportsNet):

“Yes, there’s a possibility. (He’s) day-to-day.”

For his part, Davis said during an appearance on the “Dan Patrick Show” that he’s hoping to play:

“Hopefully. That’s the plan. We’ll see how the ankle feels and hopeful I’m able to play.”

If it’s really up to Davis, it might be fair to guess there is a good possibility. Davis was a game-time decision on Tuesday night, and he reportedly fought hard to be able to play in that game. It wasn’t a battle he ultimately won, but if he wanted to play against the Pacers so badly, it’s hard to imagine he wouldn’t feel even more strongly about a marquee matchup against the best team in the East — and a fellow MVP candidate in Giannis Antetokounmpo.

If Davis plays, the game in Milwaukee will be a good measuring stick for this Lakers team, even if they’re a bit banged up (while LeBron James and others are coming down with an illness to boot). The Lakers have mostly aced their tough road tests this month, but a win against the Bucks would be a further warning to the NBA that this team is not just a legit title contender, but possibly the favorite to win it all.

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Still, with those title aspirations in mind, the Lakers need to make sure that Davis is fully healthy for the postseason. The playoffs are still a long way off, but if Davis is not close enough to 100% to not risk further injury, there is no sense in jeopardizing his health.

We’ll see what happens, and hopefully Davis is feeling all the way better. Not just because injuries suck, but also because getting a real heavyweight bout between the league’s best two teams to this point would be a fun way to spend a Thursday night.

Stay tuned for updates on Davis’ status as we get closer to the game.

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