The Los Angeles Lakers faced a moment of truth against the Detroit Pistons on Sunday.
LeBron James was ejected three minutes into the third quarter for throwing an elbow towards Pistons big man Isaiah Stewart. The Lakers didn't put forth the most inspiring effort in the ensuing minutes. They faced a 15-point deficit heading into the final frame.
The Lakers entered Little Caesars Arena as losers of three straight, including the first two games of their five-game road trip. They desperately needed to get back in the winner's column. Following their discouraging loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday, Davis said the Lakers needed to win all three remaining games on the trip, and labeled Sunday's contest with the Pistons a “must-win.”
With Los Angeles facing adversity—and still looking to establish character and identity—Davis said he addressed his teammates before the fourth quarter. His message was simple: This is the moment to “come together” and find out “who we are as a team.”
(UPDATE/CORRECTION: I misheard the audio from the Zoom of the Lakers' postgame press conference. Anthony Davis was relaying Carmelo Anthony's words to the Lakers.)
Led by Davis, Russell Westbrook, and Carmelo Anthony, the Lakers responded to that pivotal moment with their “best defensive quarter of the season,” in AD's opinion. Davis also credited Westbrook's thunderous slam with seven minutes in the fourth quarter with sparking the team's comeback.
Impressive fight from the Lakers to regroup after LeBron's 3Q ejection and erase a 17-point deficit, led by Russell Westbrook and Anthony Davis, who were excellent. LA tops DET, 121-116.
All aside, a deeply needed W. Lakers (9-9) now 1-2 on the road trippic.twitter.com/nNs9R3jZPe
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) November 22, 2021
Davis finished with 30 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, four steals, and five blocks. He's only the third player in NBA history (!) to hit those marks in a single game. The others? Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan.
pic.twitter.com/hrUFNkeENM https://t.co/03DVVvjv6c
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) November 22, 2021
Among other issues, the Lakers have struggled to bring consistent effort this season. They've suffered from a surprising lack of composure and poise. Not so in Detroit. The Lakers kept their cool during the wild Isaiah Stewart fracas and, facing a season-defining stretch, locked in and toughed out a win. That's what good teams do.
Now, let's see if they can build on it.
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