It was a tough night for the Los Angeles Lakers.
With LeBron James out with an ankle injury, the Lakers were hoping to rely on Anthony Davis and company to power the team to a win over a Utah Jazz team that it is jockeying for position within the Western Conference standings.
Unfortunately for Los Angeles, it just wasn’t enough.
Los Angeles Lakers @Lakers
Final from Utah
Final from Utah pic.twitter.com/2oXRgRBW1S
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 14, 2024
The 132-125 loss dropped the Lakers to 19-20 on the season while allowing the Jazz to remain in front in the standings as it improved to 20-20. The Lakers are currently in 11th place in the Western Conference and would be the first team out of the Play-In Tournament.
D’Angelo Russell was a bright spot for the Lakers in the game, scoring 39 points with eight assists and three rebounds. Austin Reaves contributed 19 points, Rui Hachimura had 17 off the bench, and Christian Wood contributed 15 from the bench.
However, the most polarizing day came from Davis. He had a triple-double, scoring 15 points, grabbing 15 rebounds, and dishing out 11 assists. While that appears impressive at the outset, the base stats do not tell the whole story.
He had an extremely rough shooting day, going 5-of-21 on field goals. This inefficiency certainly played a major role in the final score not going the Lakers’ way and dimming the otherwise solid stat line.
Fans on social media expressed frustration with Davis’s shooting struggles and viewed his stat line as a weak triple-double.
🐍HoodiiMamba 🐍 @HoodiiMamba
i think its time we officially remove Anthony Davis from Top 3 PF/Center Talks
dude is 5/20 when hes supposed to be the Number 1 Option
im scared for whats gonna happen when lebron leaves and hes alone
Meg @_meganmayhem
Collin Sexton out rebounding Anthony Davis I am in hell
ALakersFan™ @ALakersFanAcct
terrible game for AD but he was due
that does not affect how incredible he has been all season long, just like LeBron’s off nights
the consistency is yet to be seen from others, but Anthony Davis has been our best, also LeBron.
Primetime @PrimeTimeBS15
Anthony Davis didnt score a single point in the 4th qtr of a close game, missing every single shot he took.
Completely pathetic. The Lakers couldve won this game.
Nick C. @NickoToGo
5/21 for Anthony Davis.
Hate to say it but this one might just be on him.
Doom CMYK @Doom_CMYK
Anthony Davis looks like he’s missing shots on purpose. He’s trying to force foul calls and throwing it up high off the glass.
Jimbo Slice @JimboRudding
Anthony Davis is the most overrated “superstar” in the league.
kenfromNewportBeach @kenfromnewport
5 for 21 for Anthony Davis. I dare you to tell me that he was not in a party in all night. What a horrible basketball team.
Eagles4 Life @eagles4_lifeyt
“Let Anthony Davis cook”
“Let Anthony Davis cook” pic.twitter.com/pzOgVObRPW
— Eagles4 Life (@eagles4_lifeyt) January 14, 2024
JM3 @JM3Hoops
ANTHONY DAVIS IS HORRIBLE
TJ @TinManTJ27
Anthony Davis looks like a shell of himself. Looks like a man in the twilight of his career
Clive🇨🇲 @MbahClive
Pls i never want to hear anthony davis in same sentence as embiid
JJP2 @JJP2New
Could Anthony Davis play worse? #Lakers
Parody @_therealNobody
Anthony Davis refund our money
. @legoat2349
Anthony Davis today
Anthony Davis today pic.twitter.com/ZDvsQM0xf6
— . (@legoat2349) January 14, 2024
dmac @ddnnymac
maybe anthony davis should’ve sat out this game
beez @BeezRogue
TRADE ANTHONY DAVIS IVE SEEN ENOUGH BRO
BjergCop @BjergCop
anthony davis got to have the worst triple double of all time
The loss and related drop in the standings is certainly concerning for a Lakers team with high hopes, but a few pickups at the deadline could certainly make a difference.
Los Angeles will look to rebound Sunday when it hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder at 10:30 P.M. ET.
