NBA Playoffs: LA Lakers fans turn on Anthony Davis after paltry return in loss to Warriors

Anthony Davis failed to show and LeBron James faded from king to pauper. And the notoriously fickle LA fanbase turned on one of their game one heros.

LeBron James and the Lakers drew first blood in the clash with Steph Curry and the Warriors. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

The notoriously fickle LA fanbase has ripped into the Lakers and star centre Anthony Davis after a disappearing act in his side’s 27-point NBA playoff capitulation at the hands of a Klay Thompson-inspired Golden State.

Fuelled by eight three-pointers from a red-hot Klay Thompson, the Warriors could not be stopped after quarter-time, turning a seven-point deficit into what was, at one stage, a 32-point lead.

SCROLL DOWN TO RE-CAP GAME TWO

Laker fans revelled in Davis’ 30-point, 23-rebound game-one monster but quickly turned on the big man after his paltry 11-and-7 helped the Warriors’ square up the Western Conference semi final series at one game a piece.

Injury-prone Davis’ inability to consistently dominate drives Laker fans mad and, to be fair, they have a point, watching their $200 million man alternate big games with passive efforts in the playoffs.

But the 30-year-old said the only difference between Friday’s performance (11-of-19) and game one (5-of-11) was he missed shots and he vowed to turn things around in Sunday’s game three in LA.

LeBron James had a brilliant first half, but faded in the second. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

Klay Thompson poured in 30 points for the Lakers. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

“I took all the same shots I took in game one, just missed them,” Davis said, post game.

“Same exact looks, didn’t shoot no shot that I didn’t shoot in game one, just missed them.

“They made adjustments, shot the ball extremely well from three, so we’ll be better, I’ll be better.”

Draymond Green, who was key in containing Davis, finished one assist short of a triple-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds and nine dimes, while JaMychal Green, starting for a sick Kevon Looney, ignited for 15 points in 13 minutes, winning praise from James.

“Give credit where credit is due, Klay was spectacular … Draymond was great … JaMychal gave them big-time minutes, those 12 minutes felt like 24 minutes, 30 minutes, he was big time,” James said.

James devolved from first-half king to after-the-break pauper, unable to maintain the rage of a 21-point first half, producing a solitary bucket in the second to finish with 23 — and a game-worst -27. The Lakers relied on Japanese big man Rui Hachimura for a flicker of offence and he came up with 21 off the bench.

Thompson’s 30 points were aided by another masterclass from two-time MVP Steph Curry, who dealt with LA’s constant double teams by turning provider to the tune of 12 assists — adding 20 points for good measure.

Anthony Davis looks like a shell of the player who tore the Warriors apart in game one. Picture: Getty Images

1.39PM — FT: LAL 100-127 GSW

You know it’s over when Tristan ‘Kardashian’ Thompson gets in the game. The stars sat for most of he last quarter and rested up for the return to LA, the bench mobs left to duke it out in garbage time.

1.10PM — 3QT: LAL 80-110 GSW

It’s all unravelling for the Lakers. LeBron copped a tech for whinging about some contact on a three-pointer, then he challenged one of his own fouls on Warrior Moses Moody’s three — unsuccessfully. Then Davis’ outlet with 3.7 left in the quarter touched no player, meaning the Warriors got the ball back under the hoop. With that, Curry dimed up Moody — with LeBron asleep at the wheel defensively — who slammed it home to give the superstar his 12th assist and a 30-point 3QT lead for the Warriors. Mercy rule?

12.55PM — FOUL REVIEW: LAL 72-92 GSW, 3.52, Q3

Lakers reserve guard — and potential Boomers FIBA World Cup opponent with Germany — Dennis Schroder grabbed Draymond Green on the knee and pulled at it as he chased Steph Curry around a screen.

The refs reviewed the play for a potential flagrant, but decided it was a common foul.

That didn’t stop former star point guard Mark Jackson from labelling Schroder’s move a “dirty play”.

“That’s a dangerous play,” Jackson said during the broadcast.

“As a former player, it’s different if you grab my hip on my waistline but when you grab the knee, that can get ugly.

“I think that’s a dirty play, whether it’s intentional or not.”

What did you think of the play?

Dennis Schroder grabs Draymond Green’s knee 😬 pic.twitter.com/5MZt1XmOMa

— Guru (@DrGuru_) May 5, 2023

12.48PM — TIMEOUT: LAL 72-90 GSW, 5.03, Q3

Dubs maintain an 18-point lead, Curry’s got his double-double and LeBron’s only made one bucket since the half resumed. The King’s an equal-game-worst -19 to boot. Miracle areas incoming.

12.40PM — TIMEOUT: LAL 64-82 GSW, 7.46 Q3

15-8 start to the third and it’s all Golden State. The Warriors lead by 18 on a Klay Thompson three and this is about to get out of hand for LA. Thompson’s got seven triples and his 25 points eclipses LeBron’s 23 for the game-high. Curry’s one assist away from a double-double.

12.30PM — WHERE’S AD?

Anthony Davis was a massive reason why the Lakers took a 1-0 advantage in the series after a 30-point, 23-rebound monster game.

But tonight he’s played 21 minutes for just 4 points and 5 rebounds, while committing 3 turnovers and 3 fouls.

It ain’t pretty for the Lakers and it’s a chief reason why the Dubs are up by double digits.

“I thought Anth was very comfortable the first game,” Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson said during the broadcast.

“I think he's had different bodies on him, checking him everywhere around the floor.

“For us it’s just about not letting him get loose, not letting anything easy and make his shots as tough as possible.”

For the Lakers to be any hope, AD needs to show signs of life, because LeBron has 21 in the half — he can’t do much more.

12.18PM — HT: LAL 56-67 GSW

Halftime panic stations for LA? The Dubs are staying small, only using one big on the floor at any time, and it’s hurting the Lakers. That guy Klay Thompson is really, really hurting them. The confidence is next level — he’s banged in five three-pointers for 19 points and it doesn’t matter if there’s a hand in his face, it’s going up.

The Lakers produced some turnstile defence and it allowed the Warriors to drop 41 points in the second — while they only managed 23.

LeBron is having a lovely game, he has 21 on just 13 shots, while Japanese reserve Rui Hachimura has banged in all four of his three-point attempts for 14 points in a notable bench boost.

The Lakers usually live at the free throw line — they shoot more than any other team in the NBA — but they did not shoot their first one of the second quarter until the last minute.

Foul trouble for Curry — he’s got three and had to sit with a little over 2 minutes to go in the half. He’s got 8 points and 8 assists — tied for the most in half of a playoff game in his career. Same with AD — 3 fouls and only 4 points, after 30 in game one.

NOON — TIMEOUT: LAL 50-54 GSW, 3.26, Q2

Japanese giant Rui Hachimura is helping LeBron keep the Lakers in this. Hachimura’s hit all four of his three-point attempts off the bench and he’s got 14 points.

The Warriors have clearly found their rhythm with a really balanced spread of scorers, led by Thompson’s 13, but Bron is still feasting. The King’s up to 19 points including this ridiculous heave at the end of the shot clock:

LEBRON JAMES 😳😳😳 pic.twitter.com/qHtYuZh06n

— LakeShowYo (@LakeShowYo) May 5, 2023

There was a scary moment midway through the quarter when Warriors’ young gun Moses Moody fell on the leg of Lakers workhorse Jared Vanderbilt. He was down for a moment and looked in pain, but has shaken it off.

Curry’s only got 7 points, but he’s only taken 5 shots — and he’s handed out 7 assists as the other Warriors players feed off him.

11.47AM — TIMEOUT: LAL 35-36 GSW, 9.17, Q2

That didn’t last long. The Warriors go bang, bang, bang to start the second and a seven-point quarter-time deficit is now a one-point advantage, thanks to a 10-2 run in just under three minutes. With all the Lakers defensive focus on Curry, he has turned provider for the Warriors, assisting on each of their last three buckets — one of those a three-ball to Thompson, who leads the Warriors with 8. LeBron still tops all scorers with 14. Game on.

Splash Bro 🤝 Splash Bro

📺 @espnpic.twitter.com/DQc70F4KZx

— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) May 5, 2023

11.40AM — QT: LAL 33-26 GSW

One in the books and it’s all been LeBron so far. He drained a couple of three-pointers early and he goes into the first break with 14 of the Lakers 31. Apart from James’ heroics, Q1’s lacked a little spice, though. Rui Hachimura banged in a couple of late threes to ram home the Lakers’ advantage — they’ve hit on five of their eight tries. Golden State is 4-12. To give you an idea of how dour this start has been, the broadcast just rolled out the obligatory ‘Darvin Ham once broke a backboard’ video.

LeBron James had the better of Steph Curry and the Warriors in the first quarter. Picture: Getty Images

11.34AM — TIMEOUT: LAL 21-19 GSW, 2.58, Q1

Jordan Poole’s had some patches of objectively bad basketball this season and I hate to pile on, but he’s checked in for Steph Curry and turned it over, then fell asleep on Rui Hachimura, who went backdoor for the two-handed jam and now he’s just thrown up an airball. Forget the chatter about his deep shot at the end of regulation — any shooter takes that in today’s NBA — but the Dubs simply need him to be better. Interesting start, no real pace, low scoring. LeBron still leads all scorers with 8. Klay Thompson made back-to-back buckets and he has 5.

11.23AM — TIMEOUT: LAL 14-12 GSW, 6.25, Q1

Interesting start, both sides feeling each other out. Lakers attempting to double Curry often. He’s hit a nice stepback three, but LeBron has a pair of his own, the second splashed right in Steph’s face, prompting Kerr to call time. James leads all scorers with eight, while new Warriors’ starter JaMychal Green has five. The Lakers are hardly bothering with him, he’s had three wide open looks from the corner — and made one so far.

LEBRON NA CARA DO STEPH! pic.twitter.com/MnU7955Ewk

— Coast to Coast Brasil | NBA (@brasilcoast2) May 5, 2023

11.10AM — DUBS BIG CHANGE TO STARTING LINE UP

JaMychal Green is starting for rebounding machine Kevon Looney — Big Loon is feeling crook. It’s Green’s first playoff start for the Warriors. Really interesting here from Kerr. The Warriors went small late in game one and it almost got them home from a double-digit deficit. I mean, Green and Looney are both 206cm, but play very different games. The Dubs are trying something different. I rated Green when he was in Memphis. Good role player.

10AM — LAKERS LEAD WARRIORS 1-0 IN BEST-OF-SEVEN WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMI FINAL SERIES

Hey hoops fans. Mick Randall here with you today for a look at the Dubs and Lakers this morning. We’re about an hour away from tip-off and it’s going to be a biggie. Who are you picking to win today, what do you want to see happen today and who wins the series? Get stuck into the comment box below and I’ll try to reply to as many as I can.

Originally published as NBA Playoffs: LA Lakers fans turn on Anthony Davis after paltry return in loss to Warriors