Lakers' Anthony Davis Says Game 4 vs. Suns Is Biggest Game of the Series

AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez

The Los Angeles Lakers will host the Phoenix Suns for Game 4 of their Western Conference first-round playoff series on Sunday, and L.A. big man Anthony Davis emphasized the importance of the matchup during a chat with reporters on the eve of the battle.

"It's going to be probably the biggest game of the series, I think, besides if Game 7 happens," Davis said, per ESPN's Dave McMenamin.

"We're going in, want to protect home court. ... We know they're going to come out and play desperate, in a sense."

The Lakers lead the Suns 2-1 in the best-of-seven matchup. A Game 4 win would give L.A. three chances to clinch the series.

A Laker loss, though, puts Phoenix in the driver's seat. The Suns would regain home-court advantage and wrest momentum back from L.A., which won Games 2 and 3.

AD had 34 points and 11 rebounds in the Lakers' 109-95 Game 3 win. He is listed as questionable for Game 4 with a left knee sprain in the latest NBA injury report, though.

Davis suffered the injury Thursday when he landed awkwardly after blocking a shot attempted by Suns shooting guard Devin Booker in the first half. He remained in the game to finish his excellent performance, and insists he'll be good to go.

✨ Watch more top videos, highlights, and B/R original content

"There's no chance that I don't play tomorrow," Davis said. "As a player, I've wanted to be in this moment. You want to be in the playoffs and help contribute to my team's success. I want to be out there. So in my eyes, for me as a competitor, I think I'll be out there [Sunday]."

Game 4 will occur in Los Angeles' Staples Center on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. ET. ABC will televise the game.