Due to an ιnjury, Los Angeles Lakers star big man Anthony Davis was forced to miss the team’s second game against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday. Many assumed it was a hip problem, but it was a whole other condition that held him out of the game.

Davis missed the game due to an ankle ιnjury sustained against the Spurs in the first meeting, according to Lakers head coach Darvin Ham. Davis most likely sat as a precaution, but the hope is that he won’t have to miss much time.

Davis is one of the most vital elements to the Lakers’ success this season, so if he is out for a lengthy period, the team will suffer. He is the backbone of the Los Angeles defense, and they have struggled to generate stops without him. 

As evidence, consider the disparity between the Lakers’ two games versus the Spurs. Despite a late fourth-quarter rally by San Antonio, Los Angeles won the opening game. The Spurs, on the other hand, blasted the Lakers off the floor in the second game on Friday.

The Lakers were unable to halt San Antonio on the defensive end of the court, which became the narrative of the game. LA has a few days off before hosting the New York Knicks, so Davis should be able to rest up enough to play.

If he is unable to go, it will be up to the others to fill the void. They couldn’t accomplish it against the Spurs, but each game is a fresh chance.