ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith is walking back his words after a controversial take on Anthony Davis' head injury Thursday morning.
Smith repeatedly mocked the idea that Davis could have a concussion after the Lakers center left Wednesday night's loss to the Warriors with a head injury.
"I thought the NFL season was over," Smith said on "First Take," adding, "I ain't see nothing yesterday that made me say 'concussion.'"
Davis took a hit to the head from Warriors big man Kevon Looney and was taken back to the locker room in a wheelchair.
MORE: Shaq, Charles Barkley laugh off Anthony Davis' wheelchair exit
"A wheelchair, really? Really? That's where we are?" Smith asked.
Stephen A Smith on Anthony Davis injury 😩😩😩😩 pic.twitter.com/AQdzpXAjpb
— Shannonnn sharpes Burner (PARODY Account) (@shannonsharpeee) May 11, 2023
Looney appeared to make contact with the side of Davis' face, rather than striking him directly in the forehead, but the Lakers center was wobbly in the minutes after the hit.
MORE: What to know about NBA concussion protocol
Hours later, Smith tweeted out a clarification.
"I was in no way minimizing the seriousness of a concussion, I was questioning whether Anthony Davis really had one," Smith said, adding, "bottom line, it was wrong for me to do. Period! My bad."
Blow back is Blow back. Comes with the territory, peeps. I was in no way minimizing the seriousness of a concussion. I was questioning whether Anthony Davis really had one, considering the play I saw & other hits I’ve seen him absorb. But, bottom line, it was wrong for me to do.…
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) May 11, 2023
Reports indicate Davis didn't suffer a concussion, with Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes reporting Davis is expected to be available for Game 6 on Friday night. Davis has a lengthy history of minor injuries, which might have factored into Smith's rant about what could have been another absence for the former No. 1 pick.
MORE: Why Anthony Davis' injury leaves Lakers with more questions than answers
Still, concussions aren't as uncommon as Smith seems to think in the NBA. Klay Thompson suffered a concussion during the 2015 Western Conference Finals, and Kevin Love missed time with separate concussions in both the 2016 NBA Finals and 2018 Eastern Conference Finals.
All indications are Davis avoided the same fate, but Smith still turned a few viewers off with his comments.
