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NBA rocked after Lakers superstar Anthony Davis takes scary fall

Chris Young

Anthony Davis sent shockwaves through the NBA on Wednesday, after the Lakers big man took a heavy fall against New York.

Davis fell awkwardly after challenging a shot at the rim by Knicks forward Julius Randle.

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Unable to brace himself for the fall, Davis bore the brunt of the landing on his lower back, banging the floor in pain immediately after the impact.

The Lakers talisman stayed on the ground for several minutes before he was able to be helped up, very gingerly making his way back to the Lakers locker room.

Team officials soon confirmed x-rays had come back negative for Davis, good news for Lakers fans.

However, the team did confirm Davis had suffered a ‘sacral contusion’ - essentially a bruise above his tailbone.

It is not clear whether Davis will miss any time due to the injury.

Davis declines lucrative early contract extension

The Lakers offered their star forward Anthony Davis a four-year, $146 million max extension on Tuesday, but they were informed that he will be bypassing an in-season extension in favour of entering unrestricted free agency in July, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

The decision was made out of salary-cap implications and because Davis wants to solely focus on this season, sources said.

Davis holds a $28.7 million player option for the 2020-21 season that he is expected to decline in order to hit the open market, sources said.

Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis is pictured after taking a hard fall on his tail bone.
Los Angeles Lakers star Anthony Davis after taking a hard fall on his tail bone during the third quarter of a game against the New York Knicks. (Photo by Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images,)

Davis’ agent, Rich Paul, delivered the news to the Lakers’ front office after the team’s shootaround in preparation for Tuesday night’s game against the New York Knicks, sources said.

No one within league circles anticipates Davis leaving the Lakers after one season.

Davis waived his no-trade clause to complete the blockbuster deal that sent him to L.A. from New Orleans last summer, and in doing so, he was restricted from signing an extension for six months.

Jan. 7 is the day the restriction is removed.

Now, the six-time All-Star will be eligible to receive a five-year, $202 million max contract in the summer.

As the overwhelming early favorite for the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, Davis has helped the Lakers to a 29-7 start, which places them atop the Western Conference.

His presence has catapulted the franchise to instant championship contender status. With his contract situation a little more clear now, all that’s left is the pursuit of a title.

On the season, Davis is averaging 27.7 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 2.6 blocks per game.

WITH YAHOO SPORT US/Chris Haynes