The Los Angeles Lakers pulled off a 131-125 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday, but star player Anthony Davis wasn’t entirely pleased with the team’s performance. In his postgame interview, Davis addressed concerns about the Lakers allowing the Raptors to come dangerously close to a comeback after being down by 26 points. Despite the win, he emphasized that their defensive lapses were simply “unacceptable.”
Reflecting on the game, Davis pointed out the inconsistencies in their defensive play. “Yes, we won, and we’ll take it,” he said. “Winning on the road isn’t easy in this league, but we still have a long way to go to reach the level we want. We gave up too many points — 31 in the second and 38 in the third.” Davis made it clear that if the Lakers hope to achieve their season goals, they need to be much more focused on defense, not relying solely on talent to pull them through tight spots.
The Lakers’ defensive struggles were evident, especially after a strong first quarter where they held the Raptors to 19 points. However, Toronto came back with over 30 points in each of the remaining quarters, putting up a total of 74 points in the second half alone. This defensive gap allowed the Raptors to cut the Lakers’ lead to just six points multiple times late in the game. Toronto even had a chance to bring it within three points in the final minute, but an open three-point attempt missed, sparing the Lakers from a closer finish.
This game marked the second consecutive poor defensive performance for the Lakers, who had also allowed the Cleveland Cavaliers to score 134 points earlier in the week. Head coach JJ Redick is under pressure to address these defensive issues as they aim for consistency in their season performance.
On a brighter note, Davis himself had another outstanding game, scoring 38 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and making key defensive plays with three steals and two blocks. His stellar form has placed him among the frontrunners for the MVP award this season. Currently averaging 31.8 points, 12 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.8 steals, and 2 blocks per game, Davis is excelling at both ends of the court and proving to be a critical force for the Lakers.
In terms of his scoring rhythm this season, Davis credited his aggressive approach and offseason preparation. He shared that his experience with Team USA over the summer had significantly boosted his confidence and flow on offense. Now on track for his highest-scoring season yet, Davis looks poised to remain a top MVP contender, and the Lakers are hopeful he’ll sustain this momentum throughout the season.
