Anthony Davis says Lonzo Ball, Brandon Ingram and Josh Hart will probably try to take Lakers heads off ‘to prove a point’

Everyone who will be involved as the Lakers head into New Orleans sound ready for the extra drama associated with the game. It makes this matchup all the more fun.

The Los Angeles Lakers survived their trap game in San Antonio and now have Anthony Davis’ highly-anticipated return to New Orleans squarely in their sights. Davis acknowledged what he’ll likely be walking into, and pointed out how the hostility might not just come from the stands.

Davis addressed the Pelican in the room heading into Wednesday night’s much-anticipated matchup between the Lakers and New Orleans to Bill Oram of The Athletic, and it seems he’s ready for not only what the crowd might have in store for him, but also what extra energy the opponents will have:

“It’s two-folded,” Davis said. “It’s going to be me (against the) Pelicans, and then the three guys (Ball, Ingram and Hart), if they play, against the Lakers. So it’s going to be a great battle. Those guys are going to try to take our heads off just to prove a point.”

In complete fairness, Ingram was asked about the matchup and whether he garners any ill-will to the organization that drafted and then traded him. It would appear he does not.

Minutes after giving that answer, though, Ingram fired off an Instagram post to show how ready he is:

It’s also worth pointing out that apparently, Lonzo Ball got sick at practice and is now considered questionable to play in Wednesday night’s game. It would be a legit bummer if Ball couldn’t play. The Lakers could really use his impact on spacing to help their defense.

Look, of course this game has a little extra meaning behind it. The Davis trade wasn’t your run-of-the-mill offseason acquisition. There were months of rumors and the impact on the team was palpable last season. The idea that any of these guys would consider it just another game is legitimately hilarious.

Frankly, it’s cool that players are openly welcoming this as something they’ve circled on their calendars. The scene in that arena tomorrow is going to be incredible and whether Davis rises to meet that energy is going to be fascinating to watch as it plays out.

Hopefully, Ball can play Wednesday night. As things stand right now, it looks like Josh Hart will be available too. We all know by now how well Ingram has been playing. It’s too bad that Zion Williamson obviously isn’t ready to make his return, but that game can come later in the year. It sounds like everyone who will be playing understand the scene they’ll all be walking into, which makes an already fun matchup all the more exciting.

For more Lakers talk, subscribe to the Silver Screen and Roll podcast feed on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher or Google Podcasts. Yell at the author on Twitter @AnthonyIrwinLA.