Lakers star Anthony Davis sat at his locker after his team’s 111-110 loss to the Mavericks on Friday and took the blame for the loss.
Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber made a game-winning 3-pointer with 0.2 seconds remaining. Prior to Kleber’s shot, Davis was at the free throw line with just under seven seconds remaining.
Davis made one of his two free kick attempts, increasing the Lakers’ lead to two, instead of three.
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Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers boxes during a game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 17, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles. (Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
With 7.2 seconds remaining, Davis was called for a foul against Kleber on a 3-point attempt. Kleber went to the free throw line and made all three of his free throws to cut the Lakers’ lead to one.
«I already went in and told them the last play was my fault,» Davis said after Friday’s game. The eight-time All-Star has taken responsibility for several Lakers games this season.
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The Lakers fell to 34-37 on the season. A win would have increased the team’s playoff chances because two teams ahead of them, the Warriors and the Timberwolves, lost.
«It’s tough in every way,» said Davis, who scored 26 points.
Mavs superstar Luka Doncic sat out the game with injury. The win pushed the Mavs into sixth place in the conference.
Anthony Davis (3) of the Los Angeles Lakers defends during a game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 17, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles. (Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
Wenyen Gabriel, who had nine points and 11 rebounds off the bench, said he still believes in Davis.
«I mean, AD is our leader,» Gabriel said. «He is our best player right now, and that just shows him taking responsibility for being the best player.
«That’s something that’s important for continuity as a team and having trust in each other, and obviously we trust AD. That was just a moment. Obviously it’s not just AD, but he takes responsibility for that is something that It’s important rather than pointing fingers in terms of chemistry going forward.»
Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers during a game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 17, 2023 at Crypto.Com Arena in Los Angeles. (Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Lakers play Orlando Magic Sunday at Crypto.com Arena.
The Lakers had a slow start to the season and are struggling to get into the postseason. The team will need Davis to play at a high level, especially as LeBron James continues to deal with a foot injury.
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Los Angeles played well after the All-Star break, winning six of eight games. But the team has lost three of its last four games.
«We’re missing our chances for sure. It’s frustrating,» Davis said.