Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis has been cleared to pick up his intensity on the practice court, the team announced.
This is at least a small dose of good news for the Lakers, who have also been missing LeBron James. Prior to Friday’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, the defending champs had lost four straight.
Davis’ increased on-court work is expected to include extra shooting, ballhandling and “position-specific drills,” a Lakers spokesperson said, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
The Lakers (29-17) were in first place in the Western Conference when Davis suffered a calf strain in February. They are now in fourth.
James, who suffered a high ankle sprain, has missed each of the previous five games. Again, the Lakers are 1-4 in that stretch.
Coach Frank Vogel suggested the Lakers will take a cautious approach with Davis.
“I mean, the truth is he gets evaluated every day,” Vogel told reporters. “You know what I mean? He does work, they treat him, they evaluate him. We’re in the middle of a ramp up. But he’s still a ways away, so nothing concrete from a days [until return] standpoint right now.”
