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AD: 'I should be good to go' for crucial showdown vs. Trail Blazers

Adam Pantozzi / National Basketball Association / Getty

After exiting during the first half of the Los Angeles Lakers' 118-94 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers with back spasms on Thursday, star forward Anthony Davis says he intends to be in the lineup for Friday's all-important showdown against the Portland Trail Blazers.

"I should be good to go tomorrow ... My plan is to play tomorrow," Davis told reporters postgame, including Lakers Nation's Ryan Ward.

Davis said his back "locked up pretty bad," but that he's feeling better after receiving treatment.

L.A.'s loss dropped the team one game back of the fifth-seeded Dallas Mavericks in the West standings. The Lakers remain the No. 6 seed after the defeat but now share an identical 37-29 record with the seventh-seeded Trail Blazers. The two squads have also split their season series thus far 1-1, which makes Friday's showdown even more crucial.

With only six regular-season contests remaining before the play-in tournament begins May 18, Davis recognizes the significance of Friday's tilt and says the high stakes will influence his decision to suit up.

"Tomorrow's probably the biggest game left of these games," Davis said, according to The Athletic's Bill Oram.

Davis' availability for Friday's game is paramount considering co-star LeBron James and Talen Horton-Tucker have already been ruled out. Dennis Schroder is also sidelined due to health and safety protocols.

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