When the game was first announced, the Nov. 8 clash between the Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers appeared to be one of the most exciting of the 2024-25 season. Superstar big men were set to square off, with Anthony Davis and Joel Embiid due to battle down low.
Unfortunately, the star-studded affair in Los Angeles is looking significantly less glamorous than previously anticipated.
The 76ers will play without Embiid, who has been suspended for three games, and All-Star guard Tyrese Maxey, who suffered a right hamstring injury. That seemingly puts the Lakers at an advantage, but they're now facing injury concerns of their own.
According to Shams Charania of ESPN, the injury that kept Davis out of the Lakers' recent loss to the Memphis Grizzlies is plantar fasciitis—an ailment that could impact his availability moving forward.
Reporting for SportsCenter tonight on Anthony Davis, who is dealing with plantar fasciitis in his foot. Davis is listed probable for Lakers-76ers game on Friday night. https://t.co/cNGJoELwQM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 8, 2024
It's unclear how this will impact Davis' quality of play, but he's been listed as probable for the clash with the 76ers.
Anthony Davis listed as probable for Lakers-76ers game on Nov. 8
Despite his injury, Los Angeles needs Davis now more than ever. It's lost four of its past five games, thus effectively erasing the momentum built from its 3-0 start to the season and pulling its record to an even .500 at 4-4.
The 76ers may be down two of the best players in the NBA, but six-time All-NBA honoree Paul George is expected to be available.
The clash between George and LeBron James should steal headlines and transport fans back to their legendary battles in the Eastern Conference. George and James famously met in three consecutive postseasons between 2011-12 and 2013-14, including two clashes in the Eastern Conference Finals.
George has never backed down from the challenge of going straight at James on both ends of the floor, meaning the Lakers will likely need to win the game beyond the superstar battle.
Los Angeles will also be faced with Andre Drummond, who continues to set the pace for offensive rebounders around the NBA. That's concerning news considering the Lakers rank No. 25 in second-chance points allowed and have a longstanding history of struggling to prevent strong bigs from imposing their will down low.
With Davis on the court, the Lakers would at least have the talent advantage at center and could thus potentially create consistent offense on the other end of the floor.
A win over the 76ers would give the Lakers some of their momentum back and bring their record to 5-4. Los Angeles will play six of its next eight games at home, and starting its stand with a victory could help it right the ship and get back to winning at a postseason-caliber pace.
We'll make sure to keep this article updated with any potential changes to Davis' status, but as it presently stands, he appears to be on pace to play against the 76ers on Nov. 8.