The second game of this pre-Thanksgiving ESPN doubleheader features Anthony Davis’ anticipated return to the Smoothie King Center for the first time as a Laker as the 6-11 Pelicans face off against the league-best 15-2 Lakers in a primetime duel.
If there’s one thing that both LeBron and Anthony Davis are going to have similar experiences in at the end of the night, it’s going to be returning as a villain to the franchise that birthed them as homegrown talent. Aside from the theatrics of the former first overall pick by the franchise back in 2012 returning home since his trade back in July, this is a relatively normal game on a Wednesday night. But then again, those cinematics in tonight’s plot can’t really be erased from the script.
It’s obvious, and not even worth the mention that Davis is the greatest Pelican to ever wear their jersey. His decision to leave New Orleans was a painless one, and wasn’t surprising to say the least.
But just to stay on that topic, that whole sequence of AD leaving for LA was pretty weird. It started in January, where news burst out of Davis requesting a trade from David Griffin from every outlet like wildfire. After those announcements were broadcast throughout the New Orleans media, Davis was frivolously booed whenever he came near the basketball during home games.
And then to cap things off, during the Pels’ season finale and Davis’ final game with the organization, he wore a “That’s All, Folks” t-shirt to symbolize the conclusion of the AD era, and in such a petty way.
Tonight will mark the first time in his seven-year NBA career that he’ll play in a truly hostile environment, and it’s more than likely he’s to be prepared to play through it. After all, he is in the best starting five since his days at Kentucky right now as the Lakers star stretch five.
Starting Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball was sent home with a stomach virus and will miss the reunion of all the former Lakers facing off against their old team. Injury and absences have been a big problem for Alvin Gentry’s team, and unfortunately his young roster has been awash with them.
Brandon Ingram is at full health luckily, and he’s really come into his own this year for the first time since he wore Duke blue. Currently, he is averaging 26.1 points per game on 50.6% shooting from the field, including 45.9% from behind the arc on 5.7 attempts per game.
Lakers and Pelicans tip off at 9:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. CT on ESPN.
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