LeBron James could not help but tease Anthony Davis after the Los Angeles Lakers’ win over the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night.
Davis, who was hit in the rib area during the first quarter, had to go back to the locker room to be taped up in the second half of the game.
Later in the game, James had a little bit of fun with the six-time All-Star.
“While James praised Davis’ toughness to the media, James did prod at the Lakers’ big man later in the locker room, pointing out how he and Rajon Rondo — who both played high school football — would have shook off a hit to the ribs and stayed in the game,” wrote ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “James asked Davis if he would need pads for the next contest as the young superstar playfully shook his head during the chiding.”
He may have poked fun at Davis, but James was extremely proud of the toughness that the 6-foot-10 forward displayed.
“He wants to play,” James said of Davis. “He wants to play, and we just have to pick it up.
“For him, when he’s showing that grit when he’s playing with injuries, there’s no reason for any of us not to be out there, as well. He’s been showing everything.”
Even though he was nursing a right shoulder soreness along with the shot that he took to the ribs, Davis had a strong performance against the Suns, finishing the game with 24 points, 12 rebounds and four assists.
