LeBron James and D’Angelo Russell of the Los Angeles Lakers attributed their 128-121 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday to Anthony Davis’ eye injury. Davis was only able to play for 12 minutes after being accidentally hit in the eye by Trayce Jackson-Davis of the Warriors.

James expressed to reporters that losing a key player like Davis in the middle of the game, after preparing for days, made it challenging for the team to compensate. Russell agreed, stating that the team was not used to playing without the presence of the nine-time All-Star.

Russell acknowledged that Davis had been consistent throughout the season, rarely missing games. He mentioned that while it was unfamiliar territory for the team, they couldn’t use it as an excuse. He praised Jaxson, who played exceptionally well and highlighted the Warriors’ toughness and coaching as contributing factors to the loss.

According to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, Davis’ left eye was swollen shut, and his availability for Monday’s game against the Atlanta Hawks remains uncertain. Despite staying relatively healthy this season and appearing in most of the Lakers’ games, Davis has a history of injuries throughout his career.

The Lakers’ reliance on Davis and James was evident in the defeat, emphasizing the importance of both players to the team’s success. With the Lakers currently in 10th place, losing either player at a critical time could severely impact the team’s chances of making it to the playoffs.