Anthony Davis has got everybody’s attention sailing towards him, and we know why. The Los Angeles Lakers forward almost gave a mini heart attack during a critical late-game moment that almost jeopardized the Lakers’ hard-fought victory.
With the team clinging to a narrow 101-99 lead and just 12 seconds left, Davis found himself at the free-throw. He had all the time on the line with an opportunity to help secure the win. However, his struggles continued as he missed not just one but both free throws. Though his teammate Rui Hachimura stepped up with a crucial offensive rebound and led the Lakers to ultimately triumph 103-99.
The situation took an amusing turn when Davis shared that his wife, Marlen Polonco Davis, was among those who quickly pointed out his shortcomings. In a candid post-game interview, he recounted that she called him to emphasize that Hachimura had “saved” him from what could have been a significant embarrassment.
“I know, I definitely appreciate Rui, you know with the tip out, you know my wife even called me said Rui saved you, that made me feel like worse than I actually did like who side you on but I mean at the end of the day, got tip out, AR knock down two and we were able to seal the victory,” Davis said post-game.
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
Although his wife’s remark stung, Davis seemed to take it in stride and humbly accepted the reality of the moment with a sense of humor, especially since the Lakers secured the victory.
Also Read: Anthony Davis Breaks Down Where The Lakers Fell Short In Loss To The Minnesota Timberwolves
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Anthony Davis Gets Support From LeBron James And JJ Redick
This season has seen Davis grapple with consistency at the charity stripe, as he has a shooting percentage of just 50% in clutch scenarios. Similar missed free throws during this game added to a narrative that has included a previous loss to the Orlando Magic. Nonetheless, we should also look beyond the free-throw line. Davis still made a significant impact, recording a double-double with 10 points, 15 rebounds, five assists, and three steals.
However, after the win over the Kings, both LeBron James and JJ Redick backed Anthony Davis. “I mean, AD is special. Don’t take those performances for granted and say, ‘That’s just AD doing AD.’ No. That’s a special talent and a special player. And we needed every last one of those (19) boards,” James said.
Coach JJ Redick also used some words to praise the performance. “I think that as a player, that stuff can wear on you. I trust him, I believe in him. To be in these situations again, and I’m confident he’s going to make the shot. This and the Orlando game, I’m not deterred in terms of having the basketball in his hands, you know, with under 30 seconds,” Redick said.
While the victory was a team effort, Davis contributed on the defensive end and the boards. Austin Reaves also stepped up alongside LeBron against the Kings. Ultimately, it ended as a bright day for the men in purple and gold.
Also Read: VIDEO: LeBron James Urges Fans To Not Take Teammate Anthony Davis’ Strong Performances For “Granted”
