Vogel: Lakers will take 'long-term' approach with Davis' back injury

The Los Angeles Lakers avoided the worst-case scenario in regards to Anthony Davis' scary back injury.

Lakers head coach Frank Vogel said Thursday the team is optimistic the star big man won't be sidelined for long. But while Davis has previously admitted to battling through pain this season, Vogel said the team won't allow him to do that this time.

"Hopefully," Vogel answered when asked if Davis' absence will be brief. "But this is one of those things where he has an injury and we're not going to ask him to play through pain.

"There's a difference between playing through nagging pain and then compromising yourself trying to play through an injury. We'll be smart about it, take the long-term marathon approach with it. But as soon as he's ready to go and wants to get back in there, we'll let him get back in there."

Davis suffered a sacral contusion after dangerously falling flat on his back while attempting to block Knicks forward Julius Randle on Tuesday. After laying on the ground for several minutes, he walked gingerly to the locker room before being ruled out for the rest of the contest.

Initial reports suggested the 26-year-old would miss the Lakers' upcoming two-game road trip against the Dallas Mavericks and Oklahoma City Thunder. However, he was given the green light to travel with the team after an MRI and will be listed as questionable for Friday against the Mavericks, Vogel said.

Davis revealed earlier this season that he had been playing through shoulder discomfort, and he hasn't been the only Lakers star to suit up despite pain. After LeBron James aggravated a pre-existing groin strain on Christmas Day against the Clippers, members of the Lakers' organization reportedly urged him to rest until he had fully recovered. Instead, the 35-year-old has played in all seven of Los Angeles' games since, averaging 35.9 minutes per contest.

Vogel, however, denied that any member of the Lakers was forcing themselves to play through serious injury.

"I one hundred percent feel like we have a marathon mindset with our group," he said. "If there's reason for guys to be out, they'll be out. If there's not, then they're in the lineup. But I do feel like we've taken that marathon approach."