“Julius Randle has been playing his a** off”: Anthony Davis gives Knicks superstar his flowers following Lakers win without LeBron James

Anthony Davis sings Julius Randle’s praise following the Lakers win in OT over the New York Knicks; says he’s been playing his a** off. 

The Los Angeles Lakers saw a glimmer of hope prior to the commencement of their game against the New York Knicks last night in the former of a LeBron James return to play. This didn’t pan out the way they thought it would as Lakers team doctors suggested the reigning Finals MVP take another day of rest. This meant a majority of the load would be on Anthony Davis against the Knicks. 

Coming into this Knicks game, AD had had a 36 point game, followed by a season-high 42 points, so it’s safe to say that he was more than confident in his ability to carry his Lakers home in this one. However, it seems as though he may have underestimated Julius Randle’s defensive prowess as Randle held him to merely 8-23 shooting from the field, all while not having him score a single point in the 4th quarter or OT.

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Randle didn’t have an efficient game either as Anthony Davis returned the favor on the defensive end of the floor, holding him to 42% shooting from the field. 

Anthony Davis gives Julius Randle props for how good he’s been this season. 

The two superstar big men battled it out all night, with Randle even sinking a potential dagger right in between Anthony Davis’s eyes with 1:10 left in OT. Talen Horton Tucker would eventually ruin the Knicks’s early celebrations as he drained a 3 with 21 seconds left on the clock to seal it for the Lakers. 

Despite their grueling battle, Anthony Davis made sure to give Julius Randle his flowers following the OT thriller. “He’s been playing his a** off.”

Anthony Davis on Julius Randle: “He’s playing his ass off.”

— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) May 12, 2021

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AD also sang his praise prior to the game, saying, “He’s their rock; the head of the snake for that team. That’s probably going to be my matchup. Another Kentucky guy and we played together in New Orleans. That’s my brother over there.” 

Julius Randle has indeed been killing it this season, putting up averages of 24 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 6 assists a night. Working out with trainer Tyler Relph has paid off in a massive way for the Knicks superstar as he looks more ready than ever to lead a team to the Playoffs, all while maintaining home-court advantage.