Reason #1: The Los Angeles Lakers may still have Anthony Davis available
Anthony Davis has obviously been the difference for the Lakers in this series. Without him, the Phoenix Suns can score at will on offense and double-team LeBron on defense. When AD is in the game, then Phoenix has no answer for him.
Even without his usual burst of explosiveness, AD can elevate over any Phoenix defender to get his shot off at any spot on the court.
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) May 30, 2021
This was in the early moments of Game 4. Davis explained in the Lakers media availability session between Games 5 and 6 that his groin injury was a result of the hyperextended knee suffered midway through the game.
"“The groin happened because of the tightness in the knee from the hyperextension,” he said. “I was feeling the knee kind of the whole game. Even the first couple plays, was feeling it. And just went up to try to lay the ball up, and as soon as I went up, I just felt it from my knee just shoot up into my groin. That was kind of the end of it.”"
If I was a betting man, I would say it’s 40/60 odds that Anthony Davis plays tomorrow. Best case scenario, the rest afforded to AD may allow him to regain his mobility in order to execute these nifty low post moves. Worst-case scenario, AD just can’t play without risking a career-altering injury (such as a torn Achilles) and the Lakers shut him down for the rest of the season.
Again, nobody on Phoenix can guard Anthony Davis even if he is hurt. If he plays, that is going to be a potential game-changing boost for the Lakers’ morale.
If not, the Lakers can still compete.