Ranking 10 NBA stars returning from injury by playoff importance

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 14: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on December 14, 2021 in New York City. The Warriors defeated the Knicks 105-96. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 16: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during team introductions prior to the game against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 16, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

NBA star injury returns: No. 7 – Anthony Davis

In terms of star power, Anthony Davis is right there with any other player on this list. He is a legitimate two-way powerhouse, a defensive machine who can guard inside or on the perimeter.

Offensively he is relentless inside, has ball-handling, passing, and shooting (of a sort) in his bag. The Lakers clearly miss having him in the lineup, as they are instead forced to play Carmelo Anthony altogether for too many minutes for this point in his career.

The reason Davis is at No. 7 on this list and not higher is twofold. First, the Lakers have not been a title contender this season. The trade for Russell Westbrook doomed them from the start, but injuries and poor play have layered on top of each other. The Lakers sit at just 29-37, only three games away from falling out of the play-in entirely.

The other reason is that Davis himself has not been playing like an All-NBA two-way monster this year. Instead, he has been passive on offense, and his shot has looked more like his teammate Westbrook than of a smooth-shooting stretch big.

There is no guarantee that Davis’ return would meaningfully change the Lakers’ standing from a postseason afterthought to a fringe contender. This team is just bad this season, and it may be time to wave the white flag.