Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Heat guard Duncan Robinson, center, goes for a loose ball against Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook, left, and forward LeBron James, right, during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. Miami won 113-107. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook reacts after being called for a foul during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. Miami won 113-107. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, fourth from left, watches from the sideline during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. Miami won 113-107. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler (22) goes to the basket as Los Angeles Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony (7) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. Miami won 113-107. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) reacts to a call during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. Miami won 113-107. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Heat guard Max Strus (31) passes the ball as Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) defends during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. Miami won 113-107. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo (13) dunks over Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. Miami won 113-107. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra, right, talks with official Phenizee Ransom (71) during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) shoots over Miami Heat forward P.J. Tucker (17) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. Miami won 113-107. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, talks with Miami Heat guard Victor Oladipo, right, after an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. Miami won 113-107. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers head coach Frank Vogel watches during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, talks with Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem before an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James warms up before an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard signs autographs before an NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Monk, center, looks to pass as Miami Heat guards Kyle Guy (5) and Max Strus (31) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Russell Westbrook (0) drives to the basket as Miami Heat guard Max Strus defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) is fouled by Miami Heat guard Max Strus, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Heat center Dewayne Dedmon, top, defends against Los Angeles Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (6) attempts to pass the ball as Miami Heat forward P.J. Tucker, center, and guard Gabe Vincent (2) defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Talen Horton-Tucker, left and Miami Heat guard Gabe Vincent, right, go for the ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Carmelo Anthony, center, misses an attempted dunk over Miami Heat guards Kyle Guy, left and Max Strus (31) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
MIAMI – For the first time in weeks, Anthony Davis could be seen on the hardwood on Sunday, banging in the post and playing with his teammates.
Unfortunately for the Lakers, the action didn’t come in a game.
After being listed as questionable the day before, Davis was officially ruled out for Sunday’s game against the Miami Heat, his 17th straight missed game with an MCL sprain in his left knee. Still, the 28-year-old showcased his progress in a pregame workout, going against DeAndre Jordan in the paint on both offense and defense without a knee brace.
Vogel said the Lakers considered it unlikely that Davis would play on Sunday, but the change in his status indicates that he is nearing a return – enough that they couldn’t rule him out completely.
“That was more about, he’s getting closer,” Coach Frank Vogel said. “He felt good with his work yesterday. But not quite there yet.”
Davis’ comeback is tantalizing for a team that has struggled to 7-10 without him, particularly showing shortcomings on defense. Davis’ scrimmaging with Jordan, Wayne Ellington and Kent Bazemore saw him making jump shots, blocking attempts and posting up for at least a 20-minute session. While the Lakers haven’t held an official practice this week, Davis has also had closed-door sessions with coaches and other staffers to simulate gameplay.
The Lakers’ next game is Tuesday against the Brooklyn Nets.
The last five starting lineups have seen Dwight Howard start at center, the position Davis is expected to occupy once he’s healthy. That could leave Howard’s minutes drying up, Vogel acknowledged, but Howard may continue to play in the rotation as Davis works back up to his regular minutes allotment.
“That’s more than likely the plan but we’ll evaluate game to game and Dwight’s been playing well for us, so we’ll see where that lands,” Vogel said. “I’m sure when Anthony first comes back, he’s not going to be playing 40 minutes a night so we’ll have to take that on a game by game basis.”
LeBron James continued a 17-game streak of 25 points or more, the second-longest such streak of his career. While the Lakers anticipate some of the workload may be taken off James’ shoulders when Davis returns, James seemed to disagree.
“I’m in one of the best zones offensively I’ve been in, in my career, and I don’t plan on stopping — that’s just how I feel, I feel fantastic,” he said. “I don’t go into the game saying you got to score 30 or you guys don’t have a chance to win the game. I just play the game. The scoring has been happening organically.”
Nunn frustrated by slow recovery
For Kendrick Nunn, it was a bittersweet return to Miami.
On the one hand, it’s a city and organization with plenty of good memories – the place where he kicked off his career. As Nunn navigated the corridors of FTX Arena, he was stopped every few steps by a familiar face.
But the trip also underscored that Nunn hasn’t been able to suit up for the Lakers so far this season, a disappointing development for one of the team’s key free agent additions. Nunn tweeted on Thursday to fans frustrated by his slow recovery from a right knee bone bruise that originally was expected to take weeks to recover, not months.
“Lake Show I promise I want to be out there helping my team,” he wrote. “Stay patient with me. This process has been just as frustrating for me. I’ll return as soon as I’m healthy! It’ll be worth the wait”
Nunn has not spoken to the media since his preseason injury, but the tweet was a glance inside the 26-year-old’s headspace throughout a slow recovery process. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra called Nunn’s injury “a bummer” and remembered discussing the injury with Nunn earlier in the season when he though he’d be back soon.
“One thing I know about K. Nunn, he has great fortitude and character,” Spoelstra said. “He’ll be able to bounce back, even if its a little bit later than anticipated.”
Vogel said that every time the Lakers have ramped up Nunn’s workload, his knee has felt a proportional increase in soreness, forcing them to back down. But after the most recent setback, Nunn has returned to on-court work, he said.
Vogel said he’s continued to communicate with Nunn to keep him engaged despite the disappointment.
“He’s someone the guys enjoy being around so he’s still with us every day, he just hasn’t been on the floor in front of everyone else yet,” Vogel said. “But he’s staying lifted, and we’re all eager to get him out there.”
