NBA: Lakers’ Anthony Davis exits Raptors game with eye injury

Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) reacts after missing a basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Toronto Raptors, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

LOS ANGELES — Anthony Davis went to the Los Angeles Lakers’ locker room midway through the third quarter Sunday night after getting hit in the face while blocking a dunk attempt by Toronto’s Jakob Poeltl.

The nine-time All-Star was ruled out for the rest of the night with an eye injury.

Davis made a one-handed block of Poeltl’s dunk attempt in the lane, but Poeltl’s off hand hit Davis in the face and eyes.

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While the Lakers’ home crowd roared, Davis went down in obvious pain, rocking back and forth on the ground with his hands on his face. He stayed down for about a minute before getting up and walking to the Lakers’ dressing room.

Davis is off to an outstanding start to the season, sparking early MVP talk. He had 22 points, four rebounds and two blocks before getting hurt against the Raptors.

Jaxson Hayes took Davis’ spot in the Lakers’ rotation and quickly contributed three dunks and a layup while the Lakers pulled ahead.

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Davis began the night leading the NBA in scoring at 32.4 points per game, along with 11.3 rebounds and 2.8 assists. He has six 30-point games already this season.

Davis missed last Wednesday’s game in Memphis with a bruised left heel. The big man has a long history of injury problems, but he played in a career-high 76 games last season.