INDIANAPOLIS — For the first time in four years, Lakers star big man Anthony Davis was back on the stage where a player of his caliber belongs: at All-Star Weekend for Sunday’s exhibition between the top players in the Western and Eastern Conferences.
When Davis was named a Western Conference All-Star reserve on Feb. 1, it marked the ninth time he was given the honor in his career but the first time since the 2020-21 season after being an All-Star for eight consecutive seasons (2013-21).
Sunday will mark the first time since 2020 that Davis played in the All-Star Game after missing the ‘21 All-Star Game because of a right strained calf.
The All-Star Game is returning to an East vs. West format for the first time since 2017, scrapping the format that saw the captains pick their respective teams with no regard to conference affiliation.
“It’s an honor,” Davis said during his Saturday media availability at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, “It’s a privilege to be here. Not too many guys can say they’ve been an All-Star, especially for the nine times that I have. You never take it for granted. Even with the injuries last year, I feel like I could have made it still. Year before, probably not.
“Getting back to being recognized as one of the top players in the league, it’s just a credit to my team, my trainers and stuff like that to make sure that I’m healthy for the entire year and then just get back to the level that I’ve been playing at.”
Injuries and missed games – Davis in 60% or fewer games the previous two seasons – were significant reasons why Davis wasn’t named an All-Star in 2022 and ‘23.
But durability hasn’t been an issue for Davis this year. He entered All-Star Weekend having played in 52 of the Lakers’ 56 regular-season games and with averages of 24.9 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.5 blocks.
Having played in 92.8% of the Lakers’ games so far – which extrapolates to about 76 games in an 82-game season –…
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