The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a hard-fought 103-99 victory against the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night, but the win didn’t come without its share of drama. In a game full of intense moments and narrow margins, the Lakers faced a precarious situation late in the fourth quarter. While clutch plays by Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves ultimately sealed the win, the spotlight turned to Anthony Davis for all the wrong reasons.
Davis, a nine-time All-Star, had a chance to seal the game with 12 seconds left but missed both free throws, keeping the Lakers’ 101-99 lead within reach for the Kings. Thankfully for the Lakers, Rui Hachimura came to the rescue, grabbing a clutch offensive rebound and giving Austin Reaves a chance to close things out. Reaves delivered, hitting two free throws to put the game out of reach.
Fans quickly criticized Davis for his late-game mistakes, but the harshest remarks came from his wife. After the game, Davis shared a story that added a bit of humor to the situation. “My wife even called me and said, ‘Rui saved you,’” Davis told reporters, laughing. “That made me feel worse than I actually did. Like, whose side are you on?” It was a funny but all-too-real moment that showed even NBA stars aren’t safe from a little friendly ribbing at home.
Anthony Davis on his missed late free throws and Rui Hachimura’s offensive rebound to retain possession for LAL: “My wife even called me and said, ‘Rui saved you.’ So that made me feel worse.” pic.twitter.com/N5DwbEn2BC
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 22, 2024
Davis recorded 10 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and three steals. While clutch free throws remain an issue this season, his dominance on the boards and two-way play is a big reason the Lakers are competitive. He has averaged 26.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists in 27 games this season.
Hachimura And Reaves Saved The Day For The Lakers
Anthony Davis may have struggled in the clutch, but his teammates and coach, JJ Redick, had his back. Rui Hachimura and Austin Reaves stepped up when the team needed them most. Hachimura’s game-saving offensive rebound came in a high-pressure moment, with Sacramento throwing its biggest bodies on the court to secure the ball. “I saw they subbed in Alex Len, so I knew it was going to be a big rebound play,” Hachimura explained. “I just tried to get a good position and tapped it out.”
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Reaves, calm and collected, then nailed both free throws to put the game out of reach for the Kings. It was the kind of teamwork that has kept the Lakers competitive even when their stars faltered. LeBron James led the team with 32 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and four steals. He also praised the contributions of his teammates, stressing the importance of everyone stepping up in moments like these.
As for Anthony Davis, his struggles at the line in crunch moments are starting to become a talking point. He’s only hit 50% of his free throws in clutch situations this season, and similar misses earlier in the year played a role in a one-point loss to the Orlando Magic. But Davis isn’t dwelling on it. He knows the Lakers are in a good place with a strong 16-12 record and a clicking roster. And as long as his teammates—and even his wife—keep holding him accountable, he’ll keep working to be better in the crucial moments.
Also Read: VIDEO: LeBron James Urges Fans To Not Take Teammate Anthony Davis’ Strong Performances For “Granted”
