The Los Angeles Lakers couldn't handle the Phoenix Suns' physicality in Game 1 of the series. That's surprising, given they're one of the toughest and stronger teams in the NBA, especially in the paint.

The Suns clearly heard all the noise. They knew that people didn't trust him to take down the defending champions, even in front of their crowd and after winning 51 games on a 72-game season.

That's why Deandre Ayton and company were so inspired from the jump ball, bodying LeBron James and Anthony Davis and completely outplaying the Lakers' veterans en route to a 99-90 win.

Anthony Davis Took The Blame For Game 1 Loss

Anthony Davis recently admitted that the loss was mostly on him. He scored 13 points (on 31% from the floor) with just 7 rebounds and just wasn't aggressive enough. He settled for tough, contested jumpers and never stood a chance on the glass against Ayton:

“Usually, I come out the gates very dominant. I think today, we had it going. ‘Bron hit a couple threes, we get into the paint, Drum," Davis said after the game. "So I kind of just got lost in the offense. But I still have to be assertive, find ways to get the ball. It just kind of took me out of rhythm. But it’s on me. I still gotta find a way to make plays on that end of the floor. Like I say: it’s on me. I’m not too worried about my performance. I know I’ll be better, I know we’ll be better in Game 2."

 

Davis Say They Can't Beat The Suns With Him Playing Like That

While Davis seems unworried about his team's chances going forward, his recent words didn't do much to soothe his fans, as he just admitted that they're not going to win the series unless he steps up:

"No way we're winning a game, let alone a series, with me playing the way I played. This one is on me," the former Pelicans star told the media ahead of the second game of the series, as quoted by Fadeaway World.

Anthony Davis isn't the kind of player that's on a slump for long. Then again, he's been far from himself this season and it's not like there's much time to get it together, as a couple of bad games can send you home in the playoffs.