Coach Monty Williams: Suns preparing for Game 5 as if all Lakers healthy
May 31, 2021, 1:51 PM
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis, right, shoots as Phoenix Suns forward Jae Crowder defends during the first half in Game 4 of an NBA basketball first-round playoff series Sunday, May 30, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Gearing up for Game 5, it may seem like the Suns will be jumping into a whole new game plan with the Lakers’ Anthony Davis reportedly unlikely to play in Tuesday’s matchup.
But according to head coach Monty Williams, the Suns aren’t going to immediately switch things up considering there won’t be definite information on Davis’ status until tomorrow.
“It’s hard to plan any other way than him being on the floor. We’ve seen all of their bigs, so we feel like we can adjust accordingly,” Williams said via Zoom.
In the series so far, Davis is averaging 21.8 points per game, eight rebounds and three assists in 34.8 minutes of work.
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The Lakers big is considered day-to-day after suffering a left groin strain near the end of the first half. Davis did not return and Kyle Kuzma started in his place in the third quarter.
Making adjustments on game day depending on which starting lineup the Suns will face will just be an added layer to continuing the battle against the defending champs.
Across the series, Phoenix has gotten looks at many of the Lakers’ bigs, from Marc Gasol to Andre Drummond to Montrezl Harrell and of course, LeBron James will step up big in Davis’ absence, so the head coach feels confident in his team’s ability to adapt.
“I think we’ve seen all of their bigs, whether it be a small sample size or large sample size. We’re just going to plan once we find out who they’re going to have on the floor,” Williams said.
“You have the same situation with KCP [Kentavious Caldwell-Pope]. You just have to wait until you see the official lineup tomorrow but we’re planning for them to have all of their guys.”
Caldwell-Pope missed Game 4 with a left knee bruise he suffered in Game 3.
The wing averaged 9.7 points in the regular season but has scored only 12 total points in 92 minutes of play over three playoff games.
Game 5 will tip off at Phoenix Suns Arena at 7 p.m. on Tuesday. Listen live on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station.
