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With LeBron James in and out of action, Anthony Davis has never been more important for the Los Angeles Lakers. But Davis’ history as the guy for a team with NBA championship hopes isn’t exactly all that pretty.
That continued on Saturday night when the Lakers took on the Sacramento Kings in search of their third straight win. James is back in the lineup, but Davis is no-less essential to Los Angeles’ success. Despite this, he struggled mightily.
The nine-time NBA All-Star shot just 4-of-10 for 10 points and 15 rebounds. But it’s what happened late in the game that really put him under the microscope.
Davis went to the free throw line with 12 seconds remaining and the Lakers leading the Kings, 101-99. He missed the first free throw, meaning that the game would remain within one possession regardless of the result of the second. But then he missed the second, which would have put Sacramento is a position to tie or win the game with the last shot.
However, teammate Rui Hachimura grabbed a hugely important offensive rebound and LA held on to win 103-99 after two Austin Reeves free throw.
Anthony Davis missed BOTH free throws to keep it a two point game with seconds left, but Sacramento couldn’t secure the board… pic.twitter.com/AxtSTtm6nA
— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) December 22, 2024
Fans were quick to point out that Hachimura bailed out Davis in a big way. But they weren’t the only ones. Davis said he also heard from his wife about his near choke-job shortly after the game ended.
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
“My wife even called me and said, ‘Rui saved you.’ So that made me feel worse,” Davis told media members in the locker room after the game.
Ooooof. It’s one thing when it’s fans or Twitter trolls. But your own wife? That’s rough. Not that she’s wrong. But man, she didn’t have to say it. Thankfully, Davis didn’t seemed bothered by it all after his team picked up the win.