Lakers News: Another Starter Hurt With LeBron James, Anthony Davis Returns Not Close

The Los Angeles Lakers can’t seem to shake the injury bug. L.A.’s newest starter got hurt just one game into his Laker career.

Andre Drummond suffered a bruised right big toe in Wednesday’s game against the Milwaukee Bucks. The center was hurt in the third quarter and did not return.

“I didn’t really think anything of it,” Drummond told reporters. “I came back in the second quarter and it was hurting a little bit more. And then after halftime, I finally took my sock off to look and my whole toenail was gone. So, it was just all bad from there. I couldn’t walk or run. So I just told Coach [Frank Vogel] to take me out.”

X-rays were negative on Drummond’s toe, which was stepped on by Bucks center Brook Lopez in the first quarter. The 27-year-old had four points, one rebound and one block in 14 minutes in his Lakers debut.

Drummond is considered day-to-day. It’s unknown if he will play Friday when the Lakers visit the Sacramento Kings.

The Lakers have been hoping Drummond would provide them with some much-needed depth. Los Angeles signed the center as its two superstars continue to miss games.

LeBron James is recovering from a high ankle sprain that he suffered on March 20. Anthony Davis hasn’t played since Feb. 14 because of a calf and Achilles injury.

James is expected to miss anywhere from a month to six weeks. Davis should return earlier than James, though last week Vogel said the big man was “still a ways away” from playing in an NBA game.

In mid-March, Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes reported that Davis could miss another three weeks, at minimum.

Prior to getting hurt, James had only missed one game and was among the leading NBA MVP candidates. Davis is averaging 22.5 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists in 23 games.

Los Angeles has been cautious with Davis, hoping to make sure he’s completely healthy for the playoffs. Now that James is also hurt, clinching a postseason berth is no sure thing.

With 24 games left, the Lakers are the No. 4 seed in the West. Los Angeles is only four games ahead of the No. 7 seed Dallas Mavericks. Teams seeded 7-10 in each conference will compete in a short play-in tournament at the conclusion of the regular season.

Los Angeles has lost five of its last seven games.

The Lakers were in talks to acquire Kyle Lowry at the trade deadline but ultimately stood pat. Signing Drummond after he was bought out by the Cleveland Cavaliers became Los Angeles' key midseason addition.

Drummond could play meaningful playoff minutes in the same lineup as Davis and James. Center Marc Gasol has not been productive in 38 starts for the Lakers, scoring 4.8 points per game on 40.3% shooting.