The Denver Nuggets victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 has pushed the Lakers out of the playoffs. In a crucial game for the Lakers, their star player Anthony Davis appeared to be in great pain. Something that didn’t sit well with the Nuggets Veteran and NBA All-Star Kenyon Martin as he questioned Davis’ performance. So, what was it that left Martin with a strong opinion of Anthony Davis?

Anthony Davis’ collision with Denver’s Michael Porter in the early third quarter left ‘K-Mart’ baffled. On Gil’s Arena, he said, “Just we played, man. I’ve been hit harder than that…We all have been hit harder than that. My wife ain’t never played one NBA minute and she thought what the hell, like really?…When your season is on the line, for you to react that way and roll over on your stomach dawg, that’s character challenging…”

The collision with Porter left Davis writhing in pain on the floor while he gripped the left side of his neck and shoulder. Despite that, Davis stayed till the end of the game. However, in no way was the collision a simple hit. The Lakers Nations’ report after the game highlighted that the stinger caused Davis to lose feeling from his neck to his hand. Hence, his efforts in the game were limited.

But, was this an injury that happened at the moment, or does its roots run back deeper?

Shoulder troubles for Anthony Davis

Last month in a big win against the Milwaukee Bucks in the regular season, Anthony Davis hurt his shoulder in the third quarter when he tried to charge against Giannis Antetokounmpo and took on the latter’s elbow to his shoulder. Though Davis chose not to skip the game, he played the fourth quarter in visible discomfort where he was unable to lift his left arm most of the time.

After the game, giving an update on his injury, he said, “Sore. Couldn’t really move it after that… Continue to go out there and do what I can to help the team win, just knowing my presence on both ends of the floor is impactful. So I just wasn’t gonna let the shoulder.” 

Though his shoulder injury for the two games yielded different results. A win against the Bucks and a loss against the Nuggets. What cannot be denied is Anthony Davis’ grit to stay on the court despite facing bodily constraints.