Lakers Notes: Anthony Davis, Playoff Push, D’Angelo Russell

The Lakers now own the No. 9 seed in the Western Conference, thanks to Tuesday’s home win over the Grizzlies.

“It’s good, but we’re not satisfied,” forward/center Anthony Davis told reporters. “We don’t want to stop there. We want to get greedy.”

This comes after a 2-10 start to the season and star forward LeBron James spending the majority of the past month on the injured list. The Lakers have also been without guard D’Angelo Russell, acquired at the trade deadline.

Davis has been the biggest reason for the surge, scoring 30 points and grabbing 22 rebounds vs. the Grizzlies, earning the nickname “Wilt” from coach Darvin Ham. That, of course, is in reference to legendary center Wilt Chamberlain.

“Thanks my nickname for him — ‘Wilt Davis,'” Ham told reporters.

But Davis indicated the recent uptick has been a team effort through and through.

“Guys out there are confident, and when you play basketball like that, it leads to victories,” Davis said.

• The Lakers are targeting Friday’s game vs. the Raptors for the return of Russell, Ham said, via Jovan Buha of The Athletic. Russell (ankle) was upgraded to questionable prior to Tuesday’s game, but will have to take part in a group workout before playing. He is averaging 13.5 points and 5.0 assists in four games with LA.
• Former Lakers forward Pau Gasol had his jersey retired before the game and Davis said he wants his jersey hanging from the rafters, too. “I actually told Pau, I want to be up there one day as well,” Davis said. “…I want to be in that category, that group.” 
• The Lakers improved to 2-1 vs. Memphis. This one came without star Grizzlies guard Ja Morant, who has been away from the team after a controversial social media post. The Grizzlies also have lost forward Brandon Clarke (Achilles) for the remainder of the season.