Lakers big man Anthony Davis leaves the Christmas game with a sprained left ankle

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — LeBron James and the Lakers delivered once again when big man Anthony Davis went down.

Davis did not return to Los Angeles against Golden State on Wednesday night after spraining his left ankle midway through the first quarter.

“It’s always hard to play without AD, so I guess our job is even more strengthened, we have to do a little bit more,” James said after Lakers’ victory of 115-113. “Everybody has to chip in, especially on the defensive end because AD is our anchor. I thought guys did a great job of just playing off each other, getting to where we wanted to get to offensively and also be able to buckle down and get timely stops against a really good offensive team.”

Davis stepped awkwardly and rolled his ankle as he moved through the paint toward the Lakers basket and left with 4:48 left in the quarter. He went to the locker room and was initially listed as questionable to return.

“I don’t have an update on AD,” coach JJ Redick said.

The 6-foot-10 Davis had already been questionable entering the Christmas Day matchup with Stephen Curry and the Warriors because of a bruised left shoulder.

He missed all three of his field-goal attempts with no points and grabbed two rebounds in seven minutes of action.

Austin Reaves helped pile the load on the boards, recording a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists and scoring the game-winning layup with one second left.

“It came to a hand that we trust,” James said. “The play was drawn for me, they doubled me at the top of the key. It’s always nice to have good options out on the floor at the same time. AR has been in that position before.”