Davis’ dominant performance sets tone in win
The Sporting Tribune's Mark Medina writes how Anthony Davis' 30-point, 23-rebound night led the Lakers to a big Game 1 win.
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1. Davis’ dominant performance sets tone in win
The Sporting Tribune's Mark Medina writes how Anthony Davis' 30-point, 23-rebound night led the Lakers to a big Game 1 win.
The game started with Anthony Davis making shots with ease both at the cup and from distance. The game ended with Davis making a key stop on a Stephen Curry drive and a key rebound off a Jordan Poole miss.
In between, Davis validated what the Lakers have preached all season long. Their success or failure doesn’t just hinge on whether Davis stays healthy. It also depends on if Davis stays consistently dominant.
The Lakers snuck out with a 117-112 road win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series, and the Lakers have Davis almost entirely to thank for it. He dominated on offense with 30 points while shooting 11-for-19 from the field and 8-for-8 from the free-throw line along with five assists and four offensive rebounds. He dominated on defense with 19 defensive rebounds and four blocks. And he dominated by exploiting all the Warriors’ defensive approaches on him, while also mitigating the Lakers’ other struggles.
2. El Niño returns to San Diego for first time in 582 days
After dealing with injuries and a suspension, Fernando Tatis Jr. returned to San Diego and the Padres and The Sporting Tribune’s Fernando Ramirez was there to chronicle it all.
Fernando Tatis Jr. walked into the locker room with sunglasses on to about 10-15 reporters and cameras waiting around his locker. His teammate Rougned Odor turns to him and says in Spanish, "I think they want to talk to you."
Tatis smiles.
He changes his clothes and then signals to the media that he is ready to speak. This was the first time Tatis was going to speak pregame in the Padres clubhouse since September 2021.
He spoke for about ten minutes, and the word "exciting" kept coming up and wanting to "put on a show for the fans."
"I'm definitely nervous, but I've been looking forward to this time for a very long time," Tatis said before the game.
This was the first time in 582 days that Tatis would be in front of his home crowd at Petco Park, so nerves were expected.
3. Brossoit’s helmet quote keeps father in back of his mind
Laurent Brossoit has worn the same message on his helmet since his time in juniors as a tribute to his father, John, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. The Sporting Tribune’s W.G. Ramirez has more on this incredible story before the Vegas Golden Knights face the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of the Western Conference semifinals.
It would be easy for Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Laurent Brossoit to wear emotions on his sweater.
Instead, he dons a stronger one on his helmet.
"We don't know how strong we are until being strong is the only choice we have."
It's accompanied by an orange ribbon, and the words "Multiple Sclerosis Awareness."
It's a message he's worn since his time in juniors as a tribute to his father, John, who suffers from MS, the disabling disease of one's central nervous system.
Ask the veteran netminder about the surgery he endured last summer, the struggles of being waived and eventually being relegated to the minors as a 30-year-old, the mental anguish of watching the Golden Knights the first four months of the season, and the trauma of suffering another injury - he's an open book and extremely poignant with his thoughts.
Ask him about his father, and it's tough.
It's been tough.
4. LAFC routs Union, will play CONCACAF Champions League Final once again
LAFC advances to its second CONCACAF Champions League Final in four seasons with a 3-0 victory over Philadelphia Union. The Sporting Tribune’s Anthony Bautista was at BMO Stadium and has more from LAFC’s latest win.
LAFC advances to its second CONCACAF Champions League Final in four seasons and awaits the winner between Liga MX's Tigres UANL and Club Leon.
During Media Availability this week, LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo said he and his team "tactically reviewed" what went wrong and what went right during the first leg of the CONCACAF Champion's League Semifinal against Philadelphia Union.
The first leg ended in a 1-1 draw, the fifth draw in the six matches between the two clubs.
Tuesday, it looked like Cherundolo wasn't bluffing.
In what is becoming one of MLS's most entertaining rivalries, LAFC won handedly against Philadelphia Union, 3-0 Tuesday night at BMO stadium, winning 4-1 on aggregate.
“We wanted to be the aggressor tonight and then to play towards goal and finish great chances. We did exactly that,” Cherundolo said after the victory.
5. Thompson on Lakers facing Warriors & Klay
Lakers broadcaster Mychal Thompson spoke to The Sporting Tribune about facing his son in the Lakers-Warriors playoff series.
Usually, Mychal Thompson would react to the Los Angeles Lakers’ play with animated words and body language in the broadcast booth. He would react to the Golden State Warriors the same way as he watched through the television screen.
When the Lakers and Warriors face each other in the Western Conference semifinals, however, Thompson will face dueling rooting interests while he serves a color analyst for KSPN-710. Will Thompson cheer for the Lakers after helping the Showtime Lakers win two of their five NBA titles? Or will Thompson root for the Warriors since his son (Klay) has cemented his whole 11-year NBA career there with four NBA titles?
“Just a great basketball game,” Thompson told The Sporting Tribune. “Either way, I can’t lose. If my son wins, I’m thrilled. If the Lakers win, I’m happy.”
6. Clark County Commish Michael Naft on the A's & Las Vegas
The Sporting Tribune’s Adrian Hernandez talked to Clark County commissioner Michael Neft on the Oakland A’s potential move to Las Vegas.
7. Odds and Ends presented by Circa Sports
Here are some odds at Circa Sports if you’re thinking about placing a wager today:
8. Ticket Time presented by TickPick
Here are the “get in” prices for tickets in the area if you’re thinking about going to a game today:
1:00 p.m. – Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers – $16
9. On the Air presented by Coca-Cola
Here are the game times and television channels for professional teams in the region today:
1:00 p.m. – Philadelphia Phillies at Los Angeles Dodgers – SportsNet LA
4:45 p.m. – Los Angeles Angels at St. Louis Cardinals – Bally Sports West
7:00 p.m. – Angel City at OL Reign – Paramount+
10. The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune
The Sporting Tribune’s Arash Markazi is joined by Brandon Deutsch and Ji Hae Wiley to discuss the Lakers' series with the Golden State Warriors, Dillon Brooks talking himself out of Memphis and maybe the NBA and a conversation with Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft on the Oakland Athletics possibly moving to Las Vegas.
Listen to The Arash Markazi Show presented by The Sporting Tribune on The Mightier 1090 ESPN Radio in Southern California, 98.5 The Bet in Las Vegas and the Hawaii Sports Radio Network 95.1 FM and 760 AM in Hawaii. You can also listen to the show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play and Stitcher.
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That’s it for today. Talk to you tomorrow!