The Lakers’ season has been nothing short of a steep rollercoaster ride. Criticisms and backlashes are of course, part and parcel of the sport, but the team seems to have weathered them well so far. Amid the highs and lows on this journey, if there’s one player the Lakers have leaned on the most, it’s not LeBron James, but definitely Anthony Davis. After all, his 26.1 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists have already earned him MVP consideration.

AD’s dominance on both ends of the floor has become the heartbeat of the Lakers, and whenever his name appears on the injury report, the pulse of Lakers Nation quickens with anxiety. Now, as the team welcomes the Portland Trail Blazers to the Crypto.com Arena on Thursday night, the biggest question remains whether Anthony Davis will be suiting up for the Purple and Gold.

Lakers Injury Report

Well, Anthony Davis‘ presence remains uncertain for the franchise as of now. According to The Athletic’s Jovan Buha, the 31-year-old star, is listed as questionable. Despite the same tag being placed on him before the last game against the Cavaliers, Davis did step in and managed to deliver a brilliant performance. The concern this time is a sprained left ankle that he sustained against the Warriors on December 25th. While he didn’t miss any games due to the injury, the issue cannot be overlooked.

Joining Davis on the questionable list is Gabe Vincent, who has been a consistent presence for the Lakers this season. However, the Nigerian guard only missed the previous game due to a strained oblique, and it’s still unclear whether he will suit up for the upcoming matchup against the Blazers, as per ESPN. For now, the team will continue to monitor both Davis and Vincent before making a final decision on their status.

Next on the list is Jalen Hood-Schifino, who is ruled out due to a strain in is left hamstring. The 21-year-old has already missed 12 consecutive games and will add another to that list as he remains out for Thursday’s game. Meanwhile, Christian Wood and Jarred Vanderbilt have yet to return to the squad this season. Wood is recovering from his knee surgery, Vanderbilt, on the other hand, has faced delays in his comeback due to not being fully fit after undergoing multiple foot surgeries this summer. However, the team remains optimistic about both of them and expects them to return to the hardwood soon. On the flip side, the Portland Trail Blazers have a shorter injury list, which could give them an advantage in the clash.

Trail Blazers Injury Report

Out of the three names on Portland’s injury report, Jerami Grant and Matisse Thybulle, have been ruled out, while Dalano Banton is listed as questionable. Grant, who sustained a facial contusion, missed the last game against the Sixers. But reports suggest he could return for the Trail Blazers’ next game.

Thybulle, who underwent right knee surgery in the summer, picked up a Grade 2 right ankle sprain before fully recovering from his previous injury. Though he is making progress, his return date remains unknown. The last name on the list, Banton, has missed the last three games due to a left hip contusion and has a slim chance of appearing in this matchup. With the injuries already discussed, we can now draw a clearer picture of what each team’s rotation could look like.

Lakers vs Trail Blazers Depth Chart

Lakers

Trail Blazers

The Lakers are coming off a loss after two straight wins and currently hold an 18-14 record. They are tightly clinging to the seventh spot in the Western Conference, after slipping too many times this season. On the other hand, the Blazers are far from having a good season, sitting at 13th in the West with a 11-21 record. Piling onto their troubles is the fact that they will also be without their starter, Jerami Grant. So, if Anthony Davis is cleared off the injury list, a LeBron James and Davis partnership could prove to be a formidable challenge for the Blazers. What can be scarier than that? The records of course.

The Lakers have been dominant at home with a 10-5 record, while the Blazers have struggled mightily on the road, holding a disappointing 3-13 record. Moreover, the home team has the upper hand after securing a win in their previous matchup last month. This clash will be nothing less than an action-packed thriller. So, make sure to tune in sharply at 10:30 PM ET to catch all the excitement in this crucial Western Conference showdown.