LeBron James and the Lakers stepped up again when star player Anthony Davis went down.
Davis didn’t return to the game against Golden State on Wednesday night after injuring his left ankle midway through the first quarter.
“It’s always difficult to play without AD, so I guess our job is even more heightened, we have to do a little bit more,” James said after the Lakers won 115-113. “Everyone has to chip in, especially on the defensive end because AD is our anchor.
I thought guys did a great job of just playing off one another, getting to where we wanted to get to offensively and also being able to buckle down and get timely stops versus a really good offensive team.”
Davis rolled his ankle while moving toward the Lakers’ basket, leaving with 4:48 left in the quarter. He went to the locker room and was listed as questionable to return.
“I don’t have an update on AD,” coach JJ Redick said.
Davis, who stands 6-foot-10, had already been questionable to play in the Christmas Day game against Stephen Curry and the Warriors due to a bruised left shoulder.
He missed all three of his shots, scoring no points and grabbing two rebounds in seven minutes of play.
Austin Reaves stepped up to help with the workload, recording a triple-double with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. He also made the game-winning layup with one second remaining.
“It got to a hand that we trust,” James said. “The play was drawn up for me, they doubled me at the top of the key. It’s always great to have great options out on the floor at the same time. AR’s been in that position before.”
