JJ Redick voiced his unwavering support for Anthony Davis despite the star big man missing crucial free throws in yet another clutch moment. Following the Los Angeles Lakers’ hard-fought 103-99 win against the Sacramento Kings, Redick made it clear during the post-game press conference that his trust in Davis remains steadfast.
“I think that as a player, that stuff can wear on you. I trust him, I believe in him. To be in these situations again, and I’m confident he’s going to make the shot. This and the Orlando game, I’m not deterred in terms of having the basketball in his hands, you know, with under 30 seconds.”
Davis’s clutch struggles at the free-throw line have been a recurring issue this season. He has gone 6-of-12 from the line in clutch situations, which refers to moments when the score is within five points in the final two minutes of a game.
Against the Kings, Davis had another tough outing at the charity stripe, missing two crucial free throws in the final moments of the game. Luckily, Rui Hachimura came to the rescue, securing the offensive rebound and allowing Austin Reaves to seal the victory by sinking both of his free throws.
This marked the second recent instance of Davis faltering in clutch free-throw scenarios. Just a few games prior against the Orlando Magic, Davis missed three out of four free throws in the final two minutes, leading to a narrow one-point loss for the Lakers. Despite these missteps, Redick emphasized the importance of keeping faith in Davis and continuing to put him in high-pressure situations.
Davis finished the game against the Kings with 10 points, 15 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals on 4-of-10 shooting from the field. While his overall impact on defense and rebounding was commendable, his offensive contributions and clutch execution left room for improvement.
The Lakers narrowly escaped another potential disaster, thanks to timely contributions from Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves. Hachimura’s critical tip-out after Davis’s missed free throws gave the Lakers a second chance, and Reaves capitalized by knocking down both of his attempts from the line. These pivotal moments ensured the Lakers’ second consecutive win against their division rival and helped them climb to a 16-12 record.
Redick’s continued backing of Davis underscores the team’s commitment to instilling confidence in their star player. While Davis’s struggles at the free-throw line have drawn criticism, his overall presence on both ends of the court remains vital to the Lakers’ success. Redick’s belief that Davis will eventually overcome these clutch issues reflects the team’s long-term faith in their All-Star big man.
As the Lakers prepare for upcoming challenges, the spotlight will remain on Davis to deliver in high-pressure moments. For now, his teammates and coaching staff are standing firmly in his corner, trusting that his experience and resilience will lead to improvement in the games to come.
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