Anthony Davis reportedly unfollows Stephen A. Smith after Game 1

DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 16: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets in game one of the Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena on May 16, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - MAY 16: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets in game one of the Western Conference Finals at Ball Arena on May 16, 2023 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Lakers star big man Anthony Davis doesn’t seem to have taken kindly to Stephen A. Smith’s mocking his injury, unfollowing the ESPN personality on Twitter.

Though his defense on Nikola Jokic warranted criticism, Anthony Davis played like one of the best players on the floor for Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals on Tuesday as the Los Angeles Lakers big man kept adding to the stat sheet on the night, finishing the eventual 132-126 loss with a team-high 40 points along with 10 rebounds, three assists, three steals, and two blocks.

We can also add one unfollow on Twitter to his box score as well.

After the loss to the Nuggets, NBA Alerts on Twitter noted that Davis unfollowed (in)famous ESPN personality and noted hot-take artist Stephen A. Smith on Twitter.

Anthony Davis’ beef with Stephen A. Smith grows with unfollow on Twitter

The decison from the Lakers big man comes about a week after Smith appeared on First Take and mockingly laughed at Davis for leaving Game 5 of the East semis against the Warriors with a head injury after catching a stray blow upstairs. There was some backlash on Smith after, which now appears to include the former Kentucky superstar no longer wanting to see any of his takes.

During the midst of a deep playoff run, you do have to wonder if Davis should take a page out of teammate LeBron James’ playbook and go “Zero Dark Thirty” on social media. Moreover, there have been some critics already for the Lakers big that unfollowing Smith was soft.

Whether you agree with that take or not, though, the fact of the matter is that Davis can silence Smith better on the floor than he can on social media. If he can step up defensively to slow down Jokic and get the Lakers to the NBA Finals for the first time since the bubble while continuing to be perhaps the best player on the floor, the 30-year-old would leave his critics, some more vocal and mean-spirited than others, with little fodder to come after him with.

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