The Los Angeles Lakers face a big challenge in the Phoenix Suns this postseason. They enter Game 6 of their first-round series after a humiliating defeat in Game 5 at Staples Center.
Anthony Davis was the biggest absence of the night due to a groin injury. The big man was key during the Lakers 2020 championship run. Without him, the situation gets a lot more complicated for his team. Still, AD is trying to motivate his teammates even if he doesn’t get to the court (5:21).
“Just got to play confident, we got to play with a sense of desperation, toughness, heart. That’s it,” he said. “Guys can’t shy away from the moment. We got to be able to knock down open shots. We have not been shooting the ball well in this series.
“If we make shots, it’s a different series. We just got to be able to make shots. Guys are getting into the paint and guys are finding the shooters and our shooters gotta be ready to shoot and shoot the ball with confidence that they’ve been doing all year with no hesitation. It seemed like we hesitating a little bit. And if we do that and shoot the ball with confidence and trust your work that you’ve been putting in, then we should be fine.”
This is a do-or-die game for the Lakers. LeBron James already explained that they need to bring their A-game. AD is still waiting to see if he can play in this match, which will define the fate of the team (0:05).
“It’s tough. Especially last night watching the game and not being be to help the team on the floor. It’s the toughest part,” he said. “Knowing that I couldn’t contribute, my body just wouldn’t allow me to.
“As far as tomorrow I obviously want to. I’m still waiting to get medically cleared with the groin. Obviously I’m doing everything treatment around the clock. Issues with me all the time with the treatment and the exercises and the rehab stuff to see if everything is green for me to go on the court tomorrow.”
This is a crucial game for the Lakers, as their season is on the line. If they can’t have AD on the court, the Suns will have an easier path to the second round now that Chris Paul is looking healthy.
