The Lakers faced a rough night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, ending in a lopsided 134-110 defeat that left fans and players disappointed. From the start, Cleveland took control, and the Lakers struggled to keep pace, dropping to a 3-2 record amid growing injury concerns.
Anthony Davis, who had been performing well this season, appeared hampered after taking a hit to the face and jamming his hip early in the game.
“Took my hip in the first quarter,” Davis said after the game.
“A little sore. Kind of like jammed it. But I’ll be fine. Just bothered me throughout the course of the game. But no, that won’t stop me from playing.
“Ton of bad shots, which led to transition for them. The points off turnovers, we didn’t shoot many threes tonight. We had 20+ turnovers tonight, somewhere around there which is uncharacteristic of us. It’s just a bad game on both ends of the floor, honestly.”
He managed to score 22 points, though none came in the fourth quarter, as discomfort seemed to impact his play. The Lakers, overall, struggled to match the energy of Donovan Mitchell and the Cavaliers, with no player able to close the gap.
LeBron struggling with illness
James, also dealing with illness, contributed 26 points, though he wasn’t at full strength. Nearly 40, James acknowledged that his health has been a challenge, evident in his hoarse post-game remarks.
Despite the setback, he remains committed to helping his team, but his health will be crucial in the Lakers’ upcoming game against the Raptors.
While Davis cleared himself for Friday’s game, LeBron‘s condition remains a question mark, making it a tough road ahead for the Lakers as they look to rebound from a difficult loss.
“Just working my way through it,” LeBron noted. “Taking care of my body, trying to get as much rest as possible, stay hydrated. Make sure I’m getting the nutrients and everything I need as it passes.”