Anthony Davis Will Play Wednesday, But Christian Wood Is Out Another Month (at Least)

The Lakers got some good injury news on Tuesday. Anthony Davis, poked in the eye during Sunday's win over Toronto, is fine (or fine enough) and will play. Without goggles, because he just hates them, apparently. But he'll play. 

Meanwhile, the news wasn't so good for Christian Wood. The team's most offensively talented reserve big man has suffered a setback in his rehabilitation following (another) knee surgery, and will essentially be shut down for a month. Realistically, this means the earliest he might return to play would be mid- to late-December. It's very possible if Wood returns it's after the first of the year. 

Needless to say, combined with news that Jarred Vanderbilt seemingly isn't any closer to returning than he has been over the last few weeks, the Lakers aren't getting any help anytime soon. And it raises all of the same questions about the team's training and medical staff. Did they do anything wrong in regards to Wood? Nothing indicates that at this point. The body is complex, and recovery can be difficult, especially when the bar to clear is "can play NBA basketball." 

But at the same time, it's easy to believe the Lakers have a recurring problem with their medical staff and keeping people on the court, if for no other reason than their own actions seem to confirm it with consistent turnover in those departments. At the least, they have a communication problem. While most teams now don't like to give much information about injuries—and there are a lot of good reasons for that—the Lakers seem particularly challenged when it comes to communicating in ways that craft expectations, and then help keep them in check. 

Frankly, a little more "we don't know" would be good. Guys are hurt, recovery is slow. "We don't know when a player will be back. He's doing everything he can, but we have a to be careful." Something like that. 

Meanwhile, Rui Hachimura's performance has been all over the map. And D'Angelo Russell? Don't assume he's being traded just because he's on the bench, now. 

HOSTS: Andy and Brian Kamenetzky

SEGMENT 1: The Lakers get AD back for Wednesday, but lose Christian Wood for a while more. 

SEGMENT 2: Do the Lakers have a problem with their training and medical staff? 

SEGMENT 3: What's up with Rui? 

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