Lakers coach Darvin Ham expects Anthony Davis to play in Game 6

SANFRANCISCO (AP) — Lakers coach Darvin Ham said he expects AnthonyDavis to play Friday night in Los Angeles, adding that theeight-time All-Star big man is “not showing any signs of anything”and is not in the NBA’s concussion protocol after being hit in thehead late in Game 5 of the Western Conference semifinals.

“We checkedin with him, and he’s feeling great,” Ham said. “Our medical staffgave us a great update. He’s not in the (concussion) protocol.”

Davis willbe listed as probable for Game 6 against the Golden StateWarriors.

“It’shuge,” Ham said. “He’s the centerpiece of what we’re trying to doon both sides of the ball, and for us just in general, our successrate. So that was great, great news.”

Davis washurt by what appeared to be an inadvertent shot to the head fromGolden State’s Kevon Looney midway through the fourth quarter ofthe Warriors’ 121-106 victory in San Francisco.

Davisgrabbed at his head grimacing on the bench before going to thelocker room following the play with 7:43 remaining. He and Looneywere battling for position in the paint on a driving layup by theLakers’ D’Angelo Russell.

TNTreported Davis required a wheelchair to go to the locker room, buthewalked out of Chase Center onhis own.

Hamconfirmed that the Lakers’ medical staff had performed properevaluation of Davis and any potential head injury.

“We followprotocol, not just with AD, but with any of our players, any of ouremployees,” Ham said.

The Lakerslead the best-of-seven series 3-2.

Davisfinished with 23 points on 10-for-18 shooting, nine rebounds andthree assists, but didn’t block a shot.

After thegame, teammate Austin Reaves said Los Angeles would be ready withor without Davis.

“Obviously,AD is huge to what we do. I believe he’ll play, but if that’s notthe case, we’re still a group of NBA basketball players that haveplayed games without him this year,” Reaves said. “You never wantto play a big game without a guy like that. But that’s the natureof the game.”

StephenCurry and the Warriors fully expected to see AD in Game 6 as theyleft Game 5.

“I have noidea what happened to him or what his situation is,” Curry said,“but I would say yeah.”