NBA: Lakers' Anthony Davis says he plans to play against Clippers

Orlando, July 30 Los Angeles Lakers' Anthony Davis plans to be on the court when his team's season officially restarts on Thursday night in Orlando.

Davis, who left the Los Angeles Lakers' second scrimmage after getting poked in the eye and didn't play in the team's exhibition finale at Walt Disney World, told reporters Wednesday he will play in the Lakers' game against the LA Clippers. He didn't practice on Tuesday, but did practice on Wednesday.

Davis said he would meet once more with team doctors but indicated that he's expecting to be in the lineup.

"Eye's been getting better, way better than when I initially got hit. ... Moving in the right direction," Davis said.

The Lakers-Clippers matchup is the second game of Thursday's doubleheader, preceded by New Orleans facing Utah.

Davis isn't the only big name waiting for word on his Thursday availability.

New Orleans rookie Zion Williamson is back with the team and out of quarantine following an extended absence from the NBA's bubble to deal with a family matter. Coach Alvin Gentry said on Wednesday that Williamson is a "game-time decision" for Thursday.

The National Basketball Association (NBA) will use the new Together Mode in the video meet app Microsoft Teams to place basketball fans courtside in a virtual experience during live games.

Starting Thursday, the NBA will outfit each game court with 17-foot-tall LED screens that wrap three sides of the arena.

These "stands" will be populated with more than 300 cheering fans who will join the game using Together Mode in Teams.

( With inputs from IANS )