The Los Angeles Lakers finally got both LeBron James and Anthony Davis back on the floor together on Friday night in what many considered to be a must-win game for the squad. Unfortunately for them, LeBron and AD's return still wasn't enough to save a hapless Lakers side as they lost to the New Orleans Pelicans, 114-111.
Davis returned to action for the first time since February 16. The All-Star big man had been nursing a mid-foot sprain and was finally able to get healthy enough for Friday's crucial matchup. After the game, AD revealed that the magnitude of the game led him to do everything he could to make sure he was ready for the contest:
“This was definitely a huge game for us, so I didn't want to sit out this one,” Davis said, via Michael Corvo of ClutchPoints.
Davis dropped a 23-point, 16-rebound double-double in his much-anticipated return, to go along with six assists and a steal in 37 minutes of action. Davis also went 8-of-17 from the floor in a productive return to action.
AD did admit, however, that he still wasn't at a hundred percent during the game. The Lakers superstar revealed that his foot injury held him back significantly, particularly during the closing stages of their loss to the Pelicans:
This is barely the first time Davis was forced to sit out games due to injury. AD has struggled to remain on the floor for the Lakers for the past two years and there's no denying that it has been frustrating for LA supporters everywhere. As it turns out, Davis also feels exactly the same way:
“Overall, it just sucks that I haven't been able to be on the floor to help the team as much as I want this year,” Davis said. “And also last year, too.”
After the loss, the Lakers are now one game behind the San Antonio Spurs for the 10th and final play-in spot in the Western Conference. The gutting defeat was LA's fifth in a row. AD and LeBron's faces after the game say it all:
Be that as it may, the Lakers still have a chance for a play-in spot. They have five games remaining and according to AD, they will remain optimistic as the regular season winds down:
Unfortunately, even if the Lakers actually win all five of their remaining games, this still won't guarantee their place in the play-in tournament. The season is almost officially over for LeBron, AD, and the rest of the squad.
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