Let’s get one thing clear from the get-go. The LA Lakers have a rough road ahead with 74 games left in the regular season. Anthony Davis & Co. went off for a flying start to the season, winning three on the trot. Fans already had begun announcing the arrival of ‘the JJ Redick era’. Especially, AD put up 3 consecutive 30+ points, further cementing the belief. However, everything changed in a matter of a few days, as they currently stand with a 4-4 record! Most importantly, Davis’ “nagging” injury has further complicated things.

A team that defeated the Wolves and Suns, lost to the Pistons. Read that again- it will not make sense. Something definitely didn’t add up until the injury report for the Memphis Grizzlies game came out where the team had listed AD in the Questionable category with left heel contusion. The 31-year-old star played the Pistons game in pain and still dropped 37 points with 9 rebounds. And, following the blowout loss against Ja Morant and Co., Shams Charania dropped the hammer on LA fans with a concerning injury update.

The Lakers are set to take on the Philadelphia 76ers tomorrow and the team listed Anthony Davis as a Probable. This time with a Plantar Fasciitis injury in the left heel. Speaking of the injury, Charania said, “This is a nagging foot injury for him. Heel injury that he’s been dealing with since the end of last season… And they are confident that there isn’t anything structurally wrong there, but it’s something he’s got to manage, pain tolerance-wise and they are hopeful.” 

The LakeShow is undoubtedly in dire need of Anthony Davis to sail the ship to the postseason. Amid all this, while the NBA Insider calls Plantar Fasciitis a nagging injury, an expert calls it one of the worst injuries one needs to avoid. Let’s find out more about it.

How will Plantar Fasciitis affect Anthony Davis’ MVP campaign?

In simple words, Plantar Fasciitis is small tears in the plantar fascia, a thick tissue that connects the bottom of the feet to the heel. Basically, it acts as a shock absorber for the human body, taking in all the trauma from jumping and running.

Jeremy Singh, a 9-time ultramarathoner and athletic advisor, describes it as “repetitive micro trauma results in small tears of the fascia between the heel and arch. The result is debilitating pain. Pain is often worst when the muscles are cold — first thing in the morning or after a period of rest.”

Almost 10% of the population suffers from this condition. So, it isn’t a fully rare injury, but it’s one of the worst injuries, according to Singh. Looking at Anthony Davis’ role in the Lakers fold, the big man certainly has put a lot of pressure on his heel. Factors that cause Plantar Fasciitis: overuse, overweight, Walking/running form, limited ranges of motion, weak muscles in the legs and core.

During the 2020 championship run, AD had Dwight Howard share the load near the rim. However, in the recent past, the LA Lakers have failed to rope in a traditional rim protector to reduce Anthony Davis’ burden. Even during the 2024 offseason, LeBron James came forward to sacrifice his salary to rope in a veteran center. The efforts went in vain and now the team is paying the price.

Moreover, it’s important to note that Davis can play through the injury depending upon his pain tolerance. But how long with the big man go like this? Above all, Jeremy Singh added that this injury can definitely be treated with strengthening exercises to the toes and calf muscles, massages, and rest. But can the Lakers afford to sideline AD for an extended period?