AD: 'It's been fun' trying to avoid play-in games

Although the Los Angeles Lakers have dropped to a Western Conference play-in spot after failing to record back-to-back wins since late March, Anthony Davis insists he's relishing the heightened stakes.

"It's been fun, to be honest," Davis said following Sunday's 123-110 win over the Phoenix Suns, according to ESPN's Dave McMenamin. "We were a great team last year, and this is the first time since I've been here that we ran into a challenge. This is a different challenge for us."

Los Angeles' victory was just its third in the past 11 outings. The defending champs sit in seventh with four regular-season games remaining.

Davis finished with a season-high 42 points Sunday while also recording 12 rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and three steals in 41 minutes of action as his star running mate, LeBron James, remains sidelined due to the lingering effects of a high ankle sprain.

As for when fans will see James return to the lineup, Davis said the future Hall of Famer will be ready to go when his number is called.

"What I seen from LeBron today ... he'll be fine," Davis said.

Lakers' remaining schedule