Anthony Davis: Lakers need to find 'sense of desperation' before playoffs begin

Since Anthony Davis' return to the lineup, the Lakers have lost three of four games, including Wednesday night's matchup against the Washington Wizards. After the loss, Davis said that Los Angeles is lacking a "sense of desperation" as it heads into the final stretch of the season.

"We control our own destiny," Davis told reporters. "So we have to start playing with a sense of desperation, even though we are in the playoffs as of right now. But we're not that far off from being in play-in games. So we've got to play with a sense of desperation, as well."

Though they currently hold the fifth seed in the West, the Lakers are only two-and-a-half games ahead of the Trail Blazers, who currently occupy the seventh seed. If the Lakers were to fall into that spot, they would be forced into the play-in tournament to earn an official postseason spot.

The Lakers could receive a major boost when LeBron returns to the lineup, as he has been out since the end of March after suffering a high-ankle sprain. But with or without LeBron, if they expect to be a contender in the loaded Western Conference, they will certainly need to improve their play.