“No doubt that I’m going to play”: Anthony Davis confirms play-in participation 

When Darvin Ham made it clear that there are “no new updates” on Jarred Vanderbilt, this meant the Los Angeles Lakers’ defense is not completely safe anymore, as Vanderbilt brings a lot of energy, a strong defense, and is great at grabbing rebounds. However, Lakers got some positive vibes from the recent statement made by Anthony Davis. This keeps the team’s spirits up as they head towards the play-in game.

Los Angeles Lakers fans can rest a little easier as their star player Anthony Davis, who left Sunday’s season finale with back spasms, has assured everyone he will be back on the court on Tuesday for their crucial play-in tournament game.

“No doubt that I’m going to play,” Davis said after putting up a marvellous display against the New Orleans Pelicans. 

Davis, a key scorer and rebounder for the Lakers, went down late in the game against the Pelicans. The incident happened during a rebound play when the Pelicans’ Larry Nance Jr. made contact with him. Davis felt like his “back just locked up.” Thankfully, Davis cleared the air, acknowledging the play was just part of the game’s physical nature and that he doesn’t hold any grudges against Nance, as he believed, “he’s not a dirty player.”

This is great news for the Lakers, who are gearing up for a rematch against the Pelicans in the play-in tournament. In their last meeting, Davis put on a show, scoring a whopping 30 points before exiting with the back issue. His return will definitely be a major boost for the Lakers’ playoff hopes.

Davis averaged almost 25 points and over 12 rebounds per game throughout the season. That kind of firepower is a boon for any franchise, especially in high-pressure situations like the playoffs. With Davis back in the lineup, the Lakers have a much better shot of navigating the play-in round and advancing on a long path into the postseason.

Lakers preparations and records for upcoming matchup against Pelicans 

The Lakers will head into the play-in game with some confidence, with a winning record of 3-1 against the Pelicans this season. This includes two important victories: one in the in-season tournament semifinals and another just recently.

This dominance isn’t just a coincidence. The Lakers have figured out how to exploit weaknesses in the Pelicans’ strategies. However, Coach Ham knows the Pelicans won’t just roll over and accept defeat. They will likely adjust their tactics to counter what worked for the Lakers before. 

The Lakers, on the other hand, need to be prepared for these adjustments and have a plan B or even C ready to go. It is like a chess match—both teams will be strategizing and adapting throughout the game. This play-in matchup is already important, but this back-and-forth mental battle makes it even more so.