Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of their playoff series Golden State Warriors Thursday night, and eight-time All-Star Anthony Davis was a no-show.
Davis scored just 11 points, including seven rebounds and four assists, as the Lakers lost 127–100.
Anthony Davis, #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers, on May 4, 2023 at Krypto in Los Angeles, California. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
his performance came after a flagship game 1 where Davis scored 30 points and grabbed 23 rebounds, and ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith was surprised by his response on Thursday night.
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,Anthony Davis Last night was straight up garbage. Let’s just call it what it is. Straight garbage. I mean, he was so bad, the cleanup crew probably wouldn’t want to go near him. And that’s their job. To take out the trash,” Smith said on ESPN’s “First Take” on Friday.
The Lakers entered halftime down 11, but were outscored 43–24 in the third quarter, putting the game on ice before the start of the fourth quarter.
Smith said, “It’s not about the Lakers losing Game 2. It’s about their performance, which was a blatant dereliction of duty.” “This brother didn’t appear at all, and he hanged LeBron James. You’re the one.” Los Angeles LakersYou Lakers Nation, you want to win this series? You have to call this brother out. Because he is so great. Anthony Davis, you are great. In your sleep you can get 11 numbers. in your dreams how great Thou Art. We know how great you are.
LeBron James, #6, stands with #3 Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers during the national anthem before facing the Golden State Warriors in Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals Playoffs at Chase Center on May 4, 2023. Francisco, California. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
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“There’s only two reasons Anthony Davis doesn’t play the way he should. He’s hurt and unavailable or he’s disinterested. Last night he looked disinterested. He looked disinterested. He looked disinterested.”
led the warriors klay thompsonwho put up 30 points on 8-11 shooting from the three-point line.
Thompson said, “I was just trying to let the crowd go.” “It’s always fun when you hit the ball well, it’s even better when you combine it with a win.”
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Klay Thompson #11 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers during the Western Conference Semi Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Chase Center on May 4, 2023 in San Francisco, California. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
The series now returns to Los Angeles for two games, with Game 3 scheduled for Saturday.
“They made their adjustments. We knew they were going to do it, that’s what a championship team does,” James said. “He served on his home court tonight.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.