Anthony Davis doesn’t feel the same way about play-in tournament as LeBron James

Anthony Davis doesn’t feel the same way about play-in tournament as LeBron James

Anthony Davis is embracing the Lakers’ pre-playoff adversity.

After putting on a monster performance in a 123-110 home win over the Suns on Sunday, the big man said he’s having “fun” as the Lakers fight to escape the NBA’s play-in tournament. If the play-in were to begin today, the seventh-seeded Lakers would occupy the first slot, as the tournament will include matchups between the No. 7 through 10 seeds in each conference for a chance at a playoff berth.

“We were a great team last year, and this is the first time since I’ve been here that we ran into a challenge. This is a different challenge for us,” Davis said, according to ESPN.

In Sunday’s win, Davis became the first Laker in history to record at least 42 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and three steals in the same game. Davis’ performance helped the reigning champions redeem themselves after back-to-back losses to the Blazers and Clippers.

Davis is still without his star sidekick in LeBron James, who’s sidelined with a high right ankle sprain he sustained in a late-March loss to the Hawks. James initially returned to lineup on April 30 after missing 20 games, but re-aggravated his ankle in a loss to the Raptors on May 2.

Anthony Davis plays against the Suns.Anthony Davis plays against the Suns.Getty Images

While Davis isn’t sweating the possibility of landing in the play-in, the same can’t be said for James, who expressed his frustration with the format — which was created in the NBA bubble season.

“Whoever came up with that s–t needs to be fired,” James said last Sunday, following the Lakers’ 121-114 loss to the Raptors.

He went on to note that the Lakers’ future this season will be determined on health.

“That is the number one thing for our ball club. We need to be healthy and we need to be at full strength,” James said.

Before Davis’ return, he was out for nine weeks with a calf strain and Achilles tendinosis in his right leg. After a lackluster return that included an early exit in a loss to the Clippers due to back spasms, Davis said he’s finally getting his legs underneath him.

Meanwhile, Lakers point guard Dennis Schroder has been out due to the league’s health and safety protocols, as well as guard Talen Horton-Tucker (calf strain) and forward Kyle Kuzma (lower-back tightness).

With just four games left in the regular season, the Lakers are currently one game behind sixth-seeded Portland. Though, the Trail Blazers own the tie-breaker, so it’s technically two games.

Multiple reports say James is targeting a Tuesday return when the Lakers take on the red hot Knicks at Staples Center. If that falls through, Wednesday’s matchup with Houston is possible too, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic. Following Sunday’s win, Davis, along with head coach Frank Vogel, gave positive updates on James’ condition.

“What I seen from LeBron today … he’s … he’ll be fine,” Davis said, smirking. “Trust me. He’ll be fine.”