Anthony Davis starting for Lakers vs. Suns in Game 6 - Arizona Sports

Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers watches from the bench during the first half in Game Five of the Western Conference first-round playoff series at Phoenix Suns Arena on June 01, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Lakers forward Anthony Davis is starting on Thursday in Game 6 of Los Angeles’ first-round series against the Phoenix Suns.

Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro first reported that Davis was expected to start.

Davis is starting alongside center Marc Gasol in the frontcourt. Gasol replaces Andre Drummond in the starting lineup. Dennis Schroder got the nod again in the backcourt alongside Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.

Davis’ return for the Lakers would be his first time playing in the series since the second quarter of Game 4 when he injured his groin. He went on to not play in the second half and also missed Game 5. Those were both losses for the Lakers, who trail in the series 3-2.

Before Game 5 in Phoenix, Davis went through light shooting drills twice before tip-off but never ramped up his activity where it appeared he was close to warming up.

Davis said Thursday that he had yet to be cleared by the Lakers’ medical staff.

He added that his groin issue was related to a hyperextended knee he suffered and played through in Game 3.

“They told me everything is connected and that’s exactly what happened. The groin happened because of the tightness in the knee from the hyperextension,” he said.

Davis had entered the playoffs looking to hit his stride, having missed half of the 72-game regular season due to calf and Achilles issues.

Tip-off for Game 6 of the Suns-Lakers is at 7:30 p.m. It will air on TNT or Bally Sports Arizona on television and 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.

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