LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Lakers star forward Anthony Davis will be held out of Friday night’s home game against the Chicago Bulls because of a right adductor strain, the team announced.
It will be the second time Davis sits out through the Lakers’ first 10 games of the season. The perennial All-Star, who signed a max contract extension during the offseason, is averaging 22.4 points and 9.1 rebounds this season — a slight dip in production from his maiden season in L.A. last in 2019-20. However, he has enjoyed better efficiency, shooting a career-best 40% from 3-point range and watching his overall field goal percentage jump from 50.3% to 52.9%.
The game against the Bulls is the second night of a back-to-back for the defending champions, who lost to the San Antonio Spurs 118-109 on Thursday, snapping a four-game win streak.
Lakers coach Frank Vogel declared earlier in the season that Kyle Kuzma would be elevated to a starting role whenever Davis or LeBron James has to sit out.
Also, Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope will sit out a fourth straight game because of a left ankle sprain.