PHOENIX SUNS

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...

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.

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.

Phoenix Suns

Mat Ishbia at a game...

Arizona Sports

36 unbothered: Mat Ishbia’s first full season as Suns owner

What will we see from the Phoenix Suns over a full season with Mat Ishbia as the owner of the team?

20 hours ago

Kevin Durant #35 of the Phoenix Suns high fives Devin Booker #1 after scoring against the Denver Nu...

Arizona Sports

36 unbothered: How Suns’ new Big 3 needs to develop chemistry

The Phoenix Suns' Big 3 is the best in basketball but Bradley Beal, Devin Booker and Kevin Durant will need to establish continuity.

2 days ago

Bradley Beal, Suns introduction...

Arizona Sports

36 unbothered: What Bradley Beal has to prove with Suns

Phoenix Suns guard Bradley Beal arrives to the Valley with lots to prove despite how much he has accomplished in the NBA.

3 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Phoenix Suns could look into trade for Blazers’ Jusuf Nurkic with Deandre Ayton, Gambo reports

Phoenix Suns could look into trade for Blazers’ Jusuf Nurkic with Deandre Ayton, Gambo reports. Video: Felisa Cárdenas and Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports Photo: Steph Chambers/Getty Images

4 days ago

...

Arizona Sports Video

Video: Damian Lillard is expected to get traded within the next 24 hours Gambo reports

Damian Lillard is expected to get traded within the next 24 hours Gambo reports. Video: Felisa Cárdenas and Jeremy Schnell/Arizona Sports

4 days ago

Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns defends Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers during...

Arizona Sports

Phoenix Suns could look into trade for Blazers’ Jusuf Nurkic with Deandre Ayton

While the Phoenix Suns' intention all summer was to not trade Deandre Ayton, an imminent Damian Lillard trade could make Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic available, something that could interest the Suns, according to Arizona Sports' John Gambadoro.

4 days ago

Coach Monty Williams: Suns preparing for Game 5 as if all Lakers healthy