LeBron James: After a great start, the Lakers’ defense vanished against the Kings.
The Sacramento Kings defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 120–130 last night, costing them dearly. Before the Kings rallied and took a lead of up to 22 points during the game, they got off to a fast start and led 30 to 13 in the first quarter. When LeBron James thought back on the defensive collapse, he said that Anthony Davis’s constant foul trouble was the primary cause.
(Begins at 2:00)
“When AD picked up his second, it vanished. That’s how easy it is. When he picked up his second in the first quarter and we had to make the substitution, our defense kind of just faltered because someone like that controls so much of it.”
If the Lakers had been competitive enough to be a top-four seed in the West, Anthony Davis probably would have been a DPOY contender this season. He sets the tone defensively for the Lakers by constantly marshaling the interior and switching onto the perimeter.
He finished the game with 14 points and 11 rebounds on 5-13 shooting after having a difficult game against the Kings, while Domantas Sabonis recorded a triple-double with 20 rebounds. The Kings executed a 44-20 second quarter that swung the game in their favor, overcoming a 17-point deficit.
This season, Davis is averaging 24.8 points, 12.3 rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 2.4 blocks. He also leads the league in defensive efficiency. As opposed to Rudy Gobert and Victor Wembanyama, he unfortunately lacks both the team record and raw numbers. In the end, the Lakers greatly appreciate his defensive contributions, even though they won’t be recognized with the trophy that has eluded him his whole career. 
LeBron James Updated Us on His Injuries
With three minutes remaining in the game, LeBron James was seen leaving the court as a Lakers comeback appeared to be unachievable. James clarified that it was due to the ankle injury that had put him on the injury report for more than a month, despite the fact that many had assumed it was due to frustration at the defeat.
“My ankle is all that’s bothering me, both before and after the break. All I’m doing is managing as best I can. Certain games are superior to others. I didn’t sense anything against OKC, and tonight I didn’t sense anything at all until the fourth quarter. Every game is unique.”
James had an ankle ailment last year that kept him out of the game for a significant portion of the late season. Although his early return was crucial to the Lakers’ run to the Conference Finals, he was limited and could not have the same impact on the game as we are used to. If they are to have any chance of competing in the playoffs, they need LeBron to be fully healthy.
Currently ranked tied for ninth place with the Warriors and barely half a game behind the eighth-seeded Dallas Mavericks, the Lakers are the 10th seed. With the No. 6 seed only four games away, they have the opportunity to make a run if they can find consistency in their performance.
With every loss, the Lakers’ chances of winning diminish significantly, so perhaps they can quickly turn their season around. Given that the Lakers’ next four opponents are the Bucks, Wolves, Kings, and Warriors, it might not happen very soon.