Lakers’ Anthony Davis puts himself on blast after horrible Game 1 performance

Following the game, Davis took full responsibility for his team’s lackluster showing in Phoenix.

“There’s no way we’re winning a game (or series) with me playing the way I played,” Davis told reporters. “I know I’ll be better.”

Davis is not necessarily wrong. Outside of his basic stats Sunday afternoon, the Lakers actually performed better when the big man was on the bench.

• With Anthony Davis: -18
• Without Anthony Davis: +9

To put this into perspective, the Lakers were plus-two when LeBron James was on the court. Nevertheless, Davis hit just three shots outside of the restricted area. One of the reasons he was so darn good during the Lakers’ title run a season ago was an improved mid-range and three-point game. That has not been the case this season.

Yes, the Lakers need Davis

It became clear during Sunday’s loss to Phoenix that the Lakers need Davis to step up if they’re even going to make this a series against a Suns team that went 51-21 during the regular season.

James led the Lakers with a mere 18 points. Dennis Schroder was second with 14 points. Outside of that, Lakers players combined for 58 points on 39% shooting from the field. Obviously, Davis’ struggles played a major role here.

Before Sunday’s loss, Davis averaged 20.2 points on a substandard 42% shooting from the field in 14 games since returning from an Achilles injury that cost him more than two months of regular-season action.

There’s every reason to believe that he’s still getting into playing shape. Unfortunately for Los Angeles, the Lakers just don’t have time to wait. A loss in Game 2 would force Los Angeles to have to win four of the next five games to defeat a Suns squad that lost 21 regular-season games.