The Los Angeles Lakers encountered a tough setback in their 102-116 defeat against the Los Angeles Clippers. For Anthony Davis, the loss was particularly painful. Despite the optimistic expectations that surrounded the Lakers, they struggled to establish their rhythm throughout the contest.
Beyond the loss, the most painful part for the Lakers was undoubtedly the fervent reaction from Clippers fans. During the game, the massive screen at Intuit Dome captured everyone’s attention when it humorously displayed a Clippers fan using a shaver to mockingly depict Davis’s unibrow while he was at the free-throw line.
The Wall at Intuit Dome had a Clippers fan cutting Anthony Davis’ unibrow during the Lakers star’s free throws. pic.twitter.com/sTmae5wwZI
— Tomer Azarly (@TomerAzarly) January 20, 2025
That mocking moment hit hard for Davis, who managed only 16 points on 5-for-14 shooting. Although LeBron James topped the team’s scoring with 25 points and 11 assists, the lack of offensive support was palpable. The day was even more disheartening for the team, as Austin Reaves exited with a knee injury. The Lakers squandered crucial scoring chances, especially during a pivotal third-quarter stretch when every point was vital.
In contrast, the Clippers displayed greater confidence on the court. Ivica Zubac’s standout performance with 21 points and 19 rebounds was essential for LA. They recorded an impressive shooting percentage of 52.8% from the field and maintained consistent pressure throughout the game. The Lakers’ defensive struggles were laid bare by a Clippers team that executed its strategy effectively.
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Anthony Davis Emphasizes Lakers Must Avoid Being Frontrunners
The Lakers currently face challenges in balancing their roster and need to address these concerns before it becomes critical. In a recent post-game interview, Anthony Davis underscored the necessity for Los Angeles to avoid the mindset of being “frontrunners” during games.
Reflecting on the team’s ups and downs this season, Davis stressed the importance of remaining unified regardless of their score. He pointed out that their connectivity has been inconsistent, especially in challenging times. After a promising start with a 10-4 record, the Lakers have faced fluctuations that have hindered their momentum.
“No matter if we’re up or we’re down, we can’t be frontrunners. And when we’re up, just that’s when we’re connected. Even when we’re down, that’s when we have to be the most connected. I think tonight, even in that second quarter, when they went on that run, we were still able to be connected. We came into halftime, made adjustments, stayed together and were able to go out in the second half and get stops,” Davis expressed.
Anthony Davis on Ivica Zubac:
“He’s worked on his post game. That jump hook. He’s always been a good screener. Good roller. Lob threat. Offensive rebounder. Good rim protector. He’s developed his post game, where they’re throwing it to him and he’s finishing with his right hook.… pic.twitter.com/pX2RYnlF1N
— Joey Linn (@joeylinn_) January 20, 2025
Davis’s remarks come at a crucial moment as the Lakers near the trade deadline, with ongoing speculation regarding possible roster changes. Despite possessing a solid record, the team currently has the worst point differential among above-.500 teams in the Western Conference.
Image Source: Anthony Davis @ Instagram
