Following the Golden State Warriors’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of their NBA semifinal series, Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr had an interesting response to Anthony Davis’ dominating performance. Despite the defending champions’ best efforts, they had no answer to Davis’ performance on Tuesday night at Chase Center.
Kerr acknowledged Davis’ great game and the impact he had on the court, stating, “Obviously he dominated; he blocked 4 shots, altered some others.” He went on to credit the Lakers’ defensive prowess, with Davis being a huge part of their success in that regard.
Kerr on AD: “I thought AD had a great game. Obviously he dominated; he blocked 4 shots, altered some others. That's what this team has been doing now for the last few months. They have been one of the best defensive teams in the league for a reason and he's a huge part of that.”
— Mike Trudell (@LakersReporter) May 3, 2023
The Warriors struggled to find their rhythm on offense, shooting just 40.6 percent from the field and having little success inside the arc. With Davis’ presence in the paint, Golden State had difficulty attempting shots at the rim, only taking 10.4 percent of their total shots there.
In contrast, the Lakers as a team blocked a total of 10 shots, with LeBron James and Jarred Vanderbilt contributing three and two blocks, respectively.
Kerr recognized the challenge of facing a player like Anthony Davis, stating that he was a “nightmare that will keep Steve Kerr up at night.” He admitted that finding a solution to Davis’ dominating performance will be a problem that he and his team will need to spend a lot of time trying to solve. With the way Davis is playing, the Lakers’ chances of dethroning the Warriors in this series are looking good.
Steve Kerr coached Davis Dominates with 30-Point Performance in Lakers’ Game 1 Victory over Warriors
In Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals, Anthony Davis put on a dominant performance, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a hard-fought victory over the Golden State Warriors. Davis was unstoppable on both ends of the court, finishing with an impressive stat line of 30 points, 23 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 blocks.
Throughout the game, Davis showed off his incredible athleticism, scoring on a variety of moves and dominating the glass with his rebounding. His 23 rebounds tied a career-high, and his performance on the defensive end of the court was equally impressive, as he swatted away four shots and altered several others.
The Lakers relied heavily on Davis throughout the game, especially in the first half when he scored 23 of his 30 points. He was a force in the paint, overpowering Golden State’s defenders with his size and athleticism, and his mid-range jumper was also working, adding another dimension to his game.
Davis’ performance was a reminder of why he is considered one of the best players in the league. He showed off his all-around skills, dominating the game on both ends of the court and making an impact in every facet of the game. His performance was the key to the Lakers’ victory, and if he can continue to play at this level, the Lakers will be a tough team to beat throughout the playoffs.
