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Anthony Davis flies back to LA early, doesn’t show up in Lakers loss

Jason Reed|
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 19: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes to the basket against Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at FedExForum on April 16, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.at FedExForum on April 19, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - APRIL 19: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes to the basket against Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of Game Two of the Western Conference First Round Playoffs at FedExForum on April 16, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.at FedExForum on April 19, 2023 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers came into Wednesday with a huge opportunity to take a 2-0 series lead over the Memphis Grizzlies. With no Ja Morant in action, winning both games in Memphis seemed extremely likely and would have put the Grizzlies in a horrendous hole to climb out of.

Instead of that happening, the Lake Show instead decided to score a measly 93 points in a playoff game — in 2023 nonetheless — and fell by 10 to the Grizzlies. Memphis controlled this game from the first whistle to the last as it was a lackluster showing by the purple and gold.

Perhaps the most disappointing player on Wednesday was Anthony Davis. Davis had arguably his worst playoff game since joining the Lakers in 2019. AD scored 13 points with eight rebounds and three assists in 38 minutes of action. He shot 4-14 from the field.

The five blocks in Davis’ stat line would seem to indicate that he played well defensively but he left a lot to be desired on that end of the floor as well. The All-Defensive big was caught sleeping on several transitions back on defense and allowed Xavier Tillman Sr. of all players to drop 22 on his head.

Anthony Davis should never be outscored by Xavier Tillman. Ever. If it wasn’t for AD getting busted open early in the second quarter then Lakers fans probably would have completely forgotten that he even played in this game. Should’ve just caught an earlier flight back to LA. Wouldn’t have made a difference.

Anthony Davis wasn’t the only player that forgot to show up for the Los Angeles Lakers.

Joining Davis on the early flight back to Los Angeles was D’Angelo Russell, who continued to prove all of his naysayers right with a really poor performance in Game 2. This was an ugly eye-opener for Lakers fans not just for the rest of this series but the potential future with Russell as well.

D’Lo scored five points with four assists, seven rebounds and three turnovers. He shot 2-11 from the field and one of five from three.

It was more than just a bad stat line for Russell in this game. The former second-overall pick started to show some of the same tendencies that made the Minnesota Timberwolves want to flip him for an old Mike Conley on his last leg.

There were a few hero ball possessions by Russell that ended poorly as well as some bone-headed/low-effort plays in transition and on defense (such as when he threw an in-bound straight to Luke Kennard) that really cost the team.

Tillman, who had a career-high of 20 points before this game, scored more points than Davis and Russell combined. If the Lakers are going to win this series then they are going to need to get more out of the two players that they are paying a combined $69.3 million.

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