Lakers’ Anthony Davis could return vs. Heat on Sunday

MIAMI — After missing 16 games with a left MCL sprain, Anthony Davis could make a return Sunday evening in Miami for a Lakers team in dire need of his talents.

The Lakers (23-23) officially listed the 6-foot-10 forward as questionable against the Heat. The final decision will be made close to tip-off. The Southern California News Group reported earlier in the week that Davis might return as early as Sunday.

The 28-year-old is averaging 23.3 points and 9.9 rebounds this season, his third with the franchise. The Lakers have gone 7-9 without Davis in the recent stretch. Notably, LeBron James has picked up scoring in his absence, with 16 straight games of 25 points or more, but the Lakers are ready to welcome their top big man back with open arms.

“Whenever AD is ready, we gonna love that, that’s for sure,” James said Friday. “I mean he’s one of our biggest guns that we have, and having him on the floor, it just creates so much for us offensively and defensively, able to do so much more.”

Davis is expected to take on a starting center role for the Lakers, who intend to play smaller moving forward.

The organization hopes Davis can bring needed stability after a run of turmoil. Coach Frank Vogel has been in a precarious position since the team that stated its title aspirations before the season has been unable to escape the middle of the Western Conference standings. There was more drama midweek after Vogel benched Russell Westbrook in the closing minutes of Wednesday’s loss to the Indiana Pacers. While both Vogel and Westbrook expressed a desire to move forward after a win Friday in Orlando, there is still an atmosphere of tension given the Lakers’ underwhelming record.

Davis’ potential return would be timely: The Lakers face Miami, Brooklyn and Philadelphia — all top Eastern Conference teams — on the road in their upcoming week. The Lakers’ remaining strength of schedule is among the toughest in the NBA.

Davis showcased some fluid movement without a knee brace in a pregame workout Friday when he practiced shooting and post movement with assistant coaches in Orlando. The Lakers also flew out at least one specialist to work with Davis, who has no official timeline for his return.

The Lakers “Big Three” of James, Davis and Westbrook has only played 15 games together so far. The franchise is eager to see their core of stars finally get some rhythm playing together after a spotty start to the season. The stars would like to see that, too.

“We’re still trying to figure out ways, the best way to play with our group and getting guys healthy,” Westbrook said. “Hopefully we get AD back soon and now finding ways to better implement [him] coming back in, making sure that we can find a rhythm as a group.”