The Los Angeles Lakers had been blown out in Game 2 of its playoff sequence towards the Golden State Warriors Thursday night time, and eight-time All-Star Anthony Davis was a no-show.
Davis scored simply 11 factors, including seven rebounds and 4 assists because the Lakers misplaced 127-100.
Anthony Davis, #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers, seems to be on throughout the sport towards the Golden State Warriors throughout the Western Conference Semi Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2023, at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles, California. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE through Getty Images)
His efficiency got here after a dominant Game 1 the place Davis scored 30 factors and grabbed 23 rebounds, and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith was appalled by his response on Thursday night time.
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“Anthony Davis was straight rubbish final night time. Let’s simply name it what it’s. Straight rubbish. I imply, he was so dangerous, sanitation staff won’t wish to go close to him. And that’s their job. To take out rubbish,” Smith mentioned Friday on ESPN’s “First Take.”
The Lakers entered halftime down 11 however had been outscored 43-24 within the third quarter, placing the sport on ice earlier than the beginning of the fourth quarter.
“This just isn’t in regards to the Lakers shedding Game 2. This is about his efficiency, which was a flagrant dereliction of responsibility,” Smith added. “This brother didn’t present up in any respect, and he left LeBron James hanging. You’re the Los Angeles Lakers, you Lakers Nation, you wish to win this sequence? You acquired to name this brother out. Because he’s too nice. Anthony Davis, you might be too nice. In your sleep you’ll be able to rating 11 factors. In your sleep. That’s how nice you might be. We understand how nice you might be.
LeBron James, #6, stands alongside Anthony Davis, #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers, throughout the nationwide anthem previous to going through the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinal Playoffs at Chase Center on May 4, 2023, in San Francisco, California. (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
“There’s solely two causes that Anthony Davis doesn’t play the best way he’s alleged to play. He’s damage and unavailable or he’s disinterested. Last night time he seemed disinterested. He seemed apathetic. He seemed detached.”
The Warriors had been led by Klay Thompson, who poured in 30 factors on 8-11 capturing from the three-point line.
“I used to be simply making an attempt to get the group going,” Thompson mentioned. “It’s all the time enjoyable while you shoot the ball nicely, it is even higher while you couple that with a win.”
Klay Thompson, #11 of the Golden State Warriors, celebrates throughout the sport towards the Los Angeles Lakers throughout the Western Conference Semi Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs on May 4, 2023, at Chase Center in San Francisco, California. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE through Getty Images)
The sequence now heads again to Los Angeles for 2 video games, with Game 3 scheduled for Saturday.
“They made their changes. We knew they had been going to do this, that is what a championship workforce does,” James mentioned. “They held serve on their dwelling court docket tonight.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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