LA Welcomes Hachimura and Davis Returns, Defeat San Antonio

Los Angeles Crypto Arena was roaring with energy Wednesday night to welcome back a deeply missed Anthony Davis after being out since December 16 with a foot injury. The Lakers defeated the Spurs, 113-104, with a strong first night back for Davis. He earned 21 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks.

After the game, Davis said “It was a long five and a half weeks. Feels good to come back, get a win and ultimately just be back on the floor with these guys.”

When asked in the postgame press conference how he knew he was back in rhythm, he said, “In the first quarter, I was testing the water, you know I’ve been playing pickup and things, you can control that pace. In a real game, they’re flying down the floor you got to sprint back where your team is running, you have to run as well. That was kind of the ultimate test for me...just seeing if something flared up, do I feel any pain whatever and after that first minute...when I didn’t feel anything, I just wanted to start playing.”

Also, during the postgame interview, Coach Darvin Ham praised Davis's skills during the game. “He just makes the game look so easy, he takes so much pressure off us defensively, offensively...just really being aggressive and resubmerging himself into the system, into the game...I thought he was phenomenal.”

Not only was it the stars first night back, but it was the first time he worked side by side with teammate Lebron James and new Lakers addition Rui Hachimura.

The ex-Wizard, now wearing purple and gold, scored 12 points, six rebounds and one assist on his debut night. During the postgame press conference, Hachimura was asked how he felt about the positive energy Lakers fans were sending him.

“I loved it, I loved the energy there. I think defensively we were pretty good today, we had a lot of steals,” said Hachimura.

Hachimura was also asked what it is like transitioning to L.A. and playing alongside James and Russell Westbrook. “It feels so weird, you know, two days ago I was with the Wizards and now I’m playing here...but today, I think, for me I fit in pretty good with those guys...we were just out there hooping.”

James also had an impressive night with 20 points, nine rebounds and 11 assists. During the game, he moved up to ninth in all time for three-pointers made in NBA history with a 2,222-career high passing Jamal Crawford. James will soon be breaking Kareem Abdul-Jabar's career points record with 158 points to go.

After the game, Coach Ham was asked if adding Hachimura to the roster unlocks more of a scoring part to James’ game as he comes up to Abdul-Jabar's record.

“It’s funny people say he’s not a scorer, he’s an elite level scorer. Hopefully, that will sink in once he eclipses that record. But his main objective is to set the table for his teammates. He’s always been a guy that prides himself on playing the right way. The 11 assists tonight speak for that.”