Anthony Davis Injured, LA Lakers Defeat New York Knicks, 117-87

The Los Angeles Lakers demolished New York Knicks in Staples Center last night, 117-87 but they aren’t very happy about it. Anthony Davis had to leave the game in the late part of the third period, after falling down hard and hitting the floor with his tailbone.

The Eyebrow would try to block Julius Randle’s shot, and was left without balance going straight towards the ground and bruising his sacrum in the end. Davis stayed on the ground for some time, before his teammates helped him get up and leave the game.

After undergoing medical evaluation and X-rays, the doctors said that there is nothing problematic, but Davis himself claims that he feels pain. He will also have an MRI and won’t travel to Dallas and Oklahoma City for the next two games.

“He’s one of our pillars. He’s our present. He’s our future. He’s one of the best players in the world,” said Frank Vogel about AD. “He’s played through just about everything. He’s as tough as they come.”

Anthony Davis goes up for a block but falls on his tailbone and limps off the court with help https://t.co/DazHg4Rc9F

— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) January 8, 2020

Up until the moment when he had to go out, Davis scored 5 points, had 6 boards, 5 assists three steals and two blocks.

The Knicks were close after the first period, which LAL won, 26-21. But after that, the hosts started pounding and they had a 17-point lead at the break, 62-45. They would continue to increase at the same pace and demolish the guests by shifting into a higher gear in the late part of the fourth, 32-17.

LeBron James replaced AD, posting a team-high 31 points, hitting 6 three-pointers, and adding 5 boards and assists each.

“I work on my game every day, try not to have any weakness…They were giving me opportunities to shoot three and I just took it,” said LBJ.

Dwight Howard also hit one three, causing an eruption of joy inside the Staples. The Superman scored 8 points but had 13 rebounds and five blocks, completely filling the gap created with Davis’ injury under his rim.

Kyle Kuzma added 16 off the bench, having a good night despite all the talks about being traded to Sacramento. Avery Bradley scored 12, and Danny Green 11.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 15 points, and also a clash with Bobby Portis. Knicks’ player made a swing at him from behind and caught him on the head during one transition layup. KCP fell down on the ground with the doctors coming in, while the official ejected Portis right away.

KCP underwent a concussion protocol, and after evaluating that everything is ok returned to the floor.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVxZ22N_B3Y

Among the Knicks, the No.3 from this year’s draft RJ Barrett scored 19 points and had 5 boards. Julius Randle wasn’t at the expected level, and New York’s forward had only 15 points, with 10 boards. Going against the tough Lakers’ defense under the rim slowed him down.

Elfrid Payton had 12 and 8 rebounds, and that was about it from the guests.

The Knicks (10-27) went 4-for-20 from behind the free-throw line, while on the other side, LAL was 17-for-36. After this match, they have one more before going back home, and their opponents will be the Jazzers in Utah.

The Lakers (30-7) head for Dallas up next and are facing Luka Doncic once again this season. The LAL have a lead in the season series 2-1 and it will be very interesting to see them once again facing the young Mavs team After that they have another tough challenge in Oklahoma City against the Thunder.