Anthony Davis already helped price the Lakers one recreation towards the Orlando Magic by lacking two clutch free throws earlier this season, and he practically did it once more within the staff’s slim win over the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night time.
The Lakers escaped Sacramento with a 103-99 win, however with simply over 12 seconds remaining, Davis got here this near giving one other recreation away. With Los Angeles main simply 101-99, Davis missed not one, however each clutch free throws, solely getting bailed out from being blamed for the loss by an enormous tip-out from teammate Rui Hachimura and a few clutch freebies from Austin Reaves:
Rui Hachimura w/ an enormous offensive rebound off that Anthony Davis missed FT. AD missed two in a row w/ 12.1 seconds left, however LAL was capable of retain possession and get two FTs out of Austin Reaves as a substitute. The Lakers are up 103-99 with 9.2 seconds left with AR snapping 8-0 SAC run
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 22, 2024
Davis, as you would possibly anticipate, was getting roasted by followers for the second, but it surely was loads much less unhealthy than it might need been on-line had his nerves price the Lakers the sport:
Rui Hachimura simply saved AD’s legacy
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod (@big_business_) December 22, 2024
However “on-line” is a vital qualifier in that sentence, as a result of probably the most ruthless Davis slander following the victory might need been reserved for his spouse, Marlen Davis. In his postgame feedback, AD made it clear that not even skilled athletes are protected from getting completely cooked by their companion:
Anthony Davis on his missed late free throws and Rui Hachimura’s offensive rebound to retain possession for LAL: “My spouse even known as me and mentioned, ‘Rui saved you.’ In order that made me really feel worse.” pic.twitter.com/N5DwbEn2BC
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) December 22, 2024
Anthony Davis, smiling about Rui Hachimura’s game-saving offensive rebound on AD’s missed free throw: “I undoubtedly recognize Rui with the tip-out. My spouse even known as me and mentioned ‘Rui saved you.’ That made me really feel, like, worse than I really did. Whose facet is you on?” AK
— Kamenetzky Brothers (@KamBrothers) December 22, 2024
You gotta really feel for AD right here. Not solely did you just about choke an in depth recreation away once more to make you query your late-game free-throw talents much more, however then the individual you like most in the whole world calls you… to be sure to know Rui Hachimura simply saved your legacy?
I imply, it’s the reality, however rattling, that’s nonetheless brutal. I’d hate to listen to what she would have mentioned if Rui hadn’t gotten that tip-out. For the sake of Lakers followers’ (and AD’s) psychological well being, let’s hope we by no means have to seek out out.
