With four games remaining in the shortened regular season, the Los Angeles Lakers are still straddling the line between a guaranteed playoff spot in the West and an appearance in the new, risky play-in tournament. But the defending champions, injury-battered and doubted, seem to be embracing the challenge posed.
On Sunday night, Los Angeles defeated the second-seeded Phoenix Suns in convincing fashion, 123-110, at Staples Center behind a season-high 42 points from All-Star forward Anthony Davis. To call Davis' performance encouraging would be an understatement. He became the first player in Lakers history to record at least 42 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks in the same game, and has clearly shaken off the rust after missing nine weeks with a calf strain and Achilles tendinosis in his right leg.
Trevor Lane, who covers the team for LakersNation.com, joined After Hours with Amy Lawrence on Monday to discuss the Lakers' mentality heading into the NBA playoffs.
"The message has been pretty consistent across the board from everybody, that they're confident regardless of where they stand," Lane said. "Whether it's going through the play-in tournament, if that's the cards they're dealt, they will do that and that's not a problem. They're confident they can just play through that and do everything they've wanted to do in the playoffs. So, that's what we've heard from them for weeks now, that it's not a huge deal. They've also made a few comments about wanting to be in that sixth seed, but if they have to go through the play-in tournament, that's fine.
"The focal point all season long has been what their play is on the floor and not so much the end results of it. For example, their offense. They're always looking for the best shot, whether or not that shot goes on. [Head coach] Frank Vogel is very much of that mindset, in terms of going through the process. He's a process coach. So, it's the same thing with where they are in the standings. They're more concerned about their level of play, and then everything else will take care of itself. And they're not too concerned about being in the play-in tournament."
Prior to Sunday's win over Phoenix, the Lakers (38-30) had lost eight of their last nine games. They currently own the West's seventh seed -- the top spot in the play-in tournament -- and trail the Portland Trail Blazers by one game for the sixth spot.
LeBron James, who recently returned to action after missing 20 games with a high right ankle sprain, has missed the last four games due to soreness in the same ankle, and remains listed as day-to-day, according to Vogel.
The entire Lakers conversation between Lane and Lawrence can be accessed in the audio player above.
You can follow After Hours With Amy Lawrence on Twitter @ALawRadio and @AfterHoursCBS, and Tom Hanslin @TomHanslin.