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Anthony Davis says his injury main reason Suns beat Lakers in 2021 playoffs: ‘They got away with one’

Anthony Davis in Phoenix Suns v Los Angeles Lakers - Game Three

LOS ANGELES, CA - MAY 27: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks the ball against the Phoenix Suns during Round 1, Game 3 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs on May 27, 2021 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)

NBAE via Getty Images

The Suns had a fantastic season, making the 2021 NBA Finals. Last year’s Lakers were a massive disappointment with a first-round loss.

But who was actually the better team?

Los Angeles led its first-round series against Phoenix 2-1 and held a slight lead in Game 4 when Anthony Davis injured his groin. The Suns then won three straight to advance, Davis playing only five more (hobbled) minutes.

Dave McMenamin:

The Suns do not know that.

Devin Booker, via Kellan Olson of Arizona Sports:

We’ll never know who would’ve won the series if Davis, who was already playing through a left knee sprain, stayed healthy.

But definitely don’t assume it would’ve been the Lakers.

Phoenix was better than Los Angeles throughout the season (which is why it was a 2-7 matchup). Though the Lakers were dangerous with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, underperforming teams tend to get overrated in the playoffs. They don’t flip a switch into contending mode as easily as most people think. The Suns were an excellent team rounding into top form as the playoff progressed. They set an extremely high level the Lakers – even with Davis healthy – would have had a tough time surpassing.

Plus, Phoenix star Chris Paul was limited by a shoulder injury throughout the series. There’s no good reason to speculate what a healthy Lakers team would’ve done without also supposing perfect health for the Suns.

Though players rarely disrespect opponents like this publicly, this type of sentiment is more common behind the scenes. Of course, Davis believes so strongly in himself, in his team. Nearly all players who reach this level hold extreme confidence, and the Lakers’ 2020 championship only further validated Davis.

But 2021 wasn’t 2020.

Likewise, 2022 isn’t 2021. Phoenix is even better, Los Angeles even worse. The Suns demolished the Lakers yesterday (without Davis).

But Davis is on track to return for the postseason. If the Lakers advance through the play-in tournament, they’d be on pace to face the top-seeded Suns – a matchup that looks even juicier given Davis’ comments.