Anthony Davis did not hold back after the Los Angeles Lakers‘ frustrating 116-102 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers at the newly opened Intuit Dome. Davis pointed to defensive lapses and a lack of consistency as critical factors in the defeat, underscoring the team’s struggles against strong opponents.
In the postgame press conference, Davis highlighted the Lakers’ inability to maintain defensive discipline against a well-rounded Clippers team.
“So many simple mistakes. A little game plan, discipline. Fouling James Harden a couple times. They got some offensive rebounds. Anytime we made a run, they made a run of their own.”
“We shoot the ball well tonight, you know, easy. They like to fight, but, you know, against teams like that, you know, pretty good teams.”
“You know, we have a great stretch and then we have, two or three mistakes in a row, you know, and they capitalize every time so gotta play great basketball against playing good teams like that.”
The Clippers capitalized on the Lakers’ defensive breakdowns, with Ivica Zubac dominating inside with 21 points and 19 rebounds, including 8 offensive boards.
One recurring theme in Davis’ comments was the Lakers’ slim margin for error. When asked about how the team could widen that margin, Davis emphasized minimizing turnovers and improving defensive consistency.
“Well, not turn the ball over. We can’t control makes and misses, but some nights we struggle to shoot the basketball, and some nights the ball goes in for us. I think defensively we did a pretty good job. We got back in the zone.”
“I think in the third quarter they kind of came out prepared. Obviously, they made some shots, but kind of ran his action.”
“With Zu in the middle, and Kawhi underneath the basket, you know put some shooters around and it makes some shots but I think just laying our hats on defense, I say you can’t control, you know make some misses but you control your effort on defense enough.”
“I think we have had some slip-ups defensively, but for the most part, the fight is there, the effort is there. We just have to do a better job of getting more stops in a row, especially against teams like this.”
This sentiment was echoed by head coach JJ Redick, who also stressed the importance of flawless execution for a roster that lacks elite depth. Both Davis and Redick made it clear that without a nearly perfect effort, the Lakers struggle to compete against elite teams.
Davis acknowledged Zubac’s improvement over the years, particularly in his post-game, adding,
“He’s worked on his post-game, getting to that jump hook. He’s always been a good screener, good roller, lob throw, offensive rebounder, good rim protector. But he’s developed his post-game where they throw it to him and he’s finishing with his right hook. So he’s added that to his arsenal.”
Offensively, the Lakers’ inconsistency hurt their ability to keep pace. While LeBron James put up 25 points and 11 assists, Davis struggled with efficiency, scoring just 16 points on 5-of-14 shooting. The Lakers’ three-point shooting was another sore spot, as the team converted just 33% (9-of-27) of their attempts from deep. This has been a season-long issue for the Lakers, who rank near the bottom of the league in three-point shooting accuracy.
The Clippers showcased their depth and balance, with Norman Powell leading the way with 22 points and James Harden contributing 21 points and 12 assists. Kawhi Leonard added an efficient 19 points in limited minutes. Despite a spirited third-quarter run by the Lakers, the Clippers maintained control, utilizing their size and shooting to counter every Lakers rally.
The loss dropped the Lakers to 22-18, keeping them at the sixth seed in the Western Conference. Davis’ comments reflect a growing frustration with the team’s inconsistency and inability to elevate their play against stronger opponents. With the NBA trade deadline looming, both Davis and LeBron James have hinted at the need for roster improvements, emphasizing that the current construction leaves little room for error.
As the Lakers prepare for their next matchup against the Washington Wizards, it remains to be seen whether the front office will heed the calls for reinforcements. With championship aspirations hanging in the balance, Davis and the Lakers know they need significant changes to compete with the NBA’s elite.
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