Davis forced to exit early as Lakers lose Game 5

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Davis forced to exit early as Lakers lose Game 5

By Rey Moralde
May 10, 2023

The Lakers not only lost Game 5 but might have potentially lost Anthony Davis as the series now moves to Los Angeles for Game 6.

Well, the Lakers did not put away the Warriors. And right now, even with the Lakers up, 3-2, it doesn’t look so great. More on this later.

But the Warriors won Game 5, 121-106.

They really stuck to their profiles. Draymond Green got the Warriors running, though. He made his first three-pointer and was key to a strong 17-5 start by the Dubs. Green put in 8 points during that span.

The Lakers came back pretty quickly, though, as they ran their offense through Anthony Davis. He scored 13 points in the first period as the Lakers trailed, 32-28, going into the second.

The game was tied at 54 when the Dubs rained more threes. They closed the half with four three-pointers (with Stephen Curry hitting one before the horn) as part of 16-5 run. The Warriors led, 70-59, at the half.

The Lakers never really threatened for the rest of the game. There was a time they might have in the fourth quarter; D’Angelo Russell made a lay-up but in the trenches, Kevon Looney inadvertently hit Davis in the face. It was reported that he was rolled out in a wheelchair as he was seeing stars from the hit.

Austin Reaves made a long three to cut the deficit to 104-95 but that was the closest they got. Curry made two consecutive buckets right after. And then an Andrew Wiggins three-point play sealed the deal for the Warriors. They’re going back to the City of Angels for Game 6 on Friday.

The Warriors played like the champs that they were. They looked more energized, more desperate, and showed the Lakers that they’re going to have to take the crown from them. Lakers couldn’t match their energy for most of the game. The Warriors had all the hustle; they outrebounded the Lakers by 10, 48-38. Both teams shot well enough but the Lakers were buried twice. They were able to climb out of the hole the first time but not for a second time, especially after Davis left the game.

There is a fear of a concussion for AD and that could be huge for the series. If he enters protocol, the league will have to make sure he’s got everything working by Friday. Of course, we don’t want anyone to get hurt and we’re hoping for the best for Davis.

But the Warriors imposed their will on the Lakers. And it’s tough to defeat a team on the road, especially when they have their backs against the wall. The Lakers may be going home on Game 6 (let’s hope Davis plays) but the Warriors are going to continue to go all out with elimination looming over their heads. Of course, the advantage the Lakers have is that they’ve been undefeated at home in these playoffs and that the Warriors (despite winning twice in Sacramento) did not do very well away from Chase Center in the regular season (11-30).

LeBron James led the Lakers with 25 points and 9 rebounds. Davis ended with 23 points and 9 boards. D’Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves each scored 15 while Dennis Schröder came off the bench with 14 points.

Stephen Curry continued to get his teammates involved. He finished it off when the Warriors seemed like they were on the verge of losing a lead. He went for 27 points and 8 assists. Andrew Wiggins played his best game of the postseason with 25-7-5. Draymond Green, who set the tone, finished with 20 points and 10 boards. Gary Payton II scored 13 while Jordan Poole didn’t have a much better game (11 points) but it was still light years ahead than Game 4 (0 points). Klay Thompson (10 points, 3 for 12 shooting) continues to struggle and that might be a bit of a concern for the Dubs.