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Anthony Davis and the LA Lakers fell 118-108 to the Chicago Bulls on Sunday in crucial playoff/play-in implications for both sides. The Lakers struggled for most of the game, trailing by as many as 20 points in the second quarter.
This came despite star forward LeBron James making his surprise return after being out since February 26 due to a right foot tendon injury. Following the game, Davis spoke about the disappointing loss, highlighting the Lakers’ inability to take care of the ball:
“Didn’t take care of the ball. 18 turnovers, 34 points (off turnovers), gonna be hard to win basketball games like that,” Davis said.
“Give them credit, they came out and shot the ball really well. Guys that we wanted to shoot made shots. We didn’t make shots. Obviously, getting Bron back, trying to get back in the swing of things.
“We’re not getting discouraged — obviously we wanted to win that game. We got another one against that team Wednesday. We’ll look to get some get back,” Davis continued.
Davis was then asked what James and the Lakers will need to do to get back in rhythm with just seven games remaining:
“He’s good enough, I think we’re good enough to kind of figure it out on the fly. I think we’ll be fine for sure,” Davis said.
“We just gotta come out and continue to play on both ends of the floor, like we did the past couple of games, with whoever is in the lineup. Whether he’s starting, coming off the bench, not playing, whoever is playing. Continue to have that same energy after the urgency that coach preaches about, over the last seven games,” Davis continued.
Davis finished with 15 points, nine rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block on 75.0% shooting. James, who came off the bench for the first time since 2007, led the Lakers in scoring. James finished with 19 points, eight rebounds, and three assists on 54.5% shooting in 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, the Bulls were led by star shooting guard Zach LaVine, who finished with 32 points, two rebounds, and four assists on 68.4% shooting.
Darvin Ham on the Lakers' loss in LeBron James’ return
Lakers coach Darvin Ham spoke postgame about how his team just didn’t play with enough energy:
“We came out a little flat, turned the ball over early, just weren't aggressive enough, physical enough,” Ham said.
However, Ham was encouraged by how LeBron James looked in his first game back:
“You could see him getting his rhythm, his timing, his finishes, all of that,” Ham said.
“He's a savvy veteran, one of the greatest ever to do it, so it's not going to take all that much,” Ham continued.
The Lakers’ loss comes right as LA was making a run to get back into playoff positioning in the Western Conference. The Lakers (37-38, ninth in the West) entered Sunday having won three straight games and seven of their last 10.
As for the Bulls (36-38, 10th in the East), they have now won seven of their last nine games.
LA will next play on Wednesday in a rematch against Chicago.
The Bulls will next play on Monday against the LA Clippers (39-36, fifth in the West).
