Davis anxious to play old pal Randle and surging Knicks

LOS ANGELES — Anthony Davis watched from the visitors’ bench at the Garden last month when the Knicks crushed the Lakers, 111-96.

It’s made Davis more anxious to face the resurgent Knicks and his old pal Julius Randle when the Knicks finish their six-game Western trip Tuesday at Staples Center.

It looks as if the Lakers power forward could be joined by fellow superstar LeBron James, who is eyeing Tuesday to make his return from a severe ankle sprain.

Davis returned from a calf injury April 22 and Sunday night played his best game since coming back in a rout over Phoenix, racking up 42 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and three steals. Beware, Julius. Davis’ performance came hours after the Knicks stunned the Clippers under the same roof.

“They’re playing really well — a hard-playing team,’’ Davis said of the Knicks. “Ju, he’s their rock, head of the snake for that team. That’s probably going to be my matchup. Another Kentucky guy and we played together in New Orleans. That’s my brother over there.’’

Randle spent one season in New Orleans in 2018-19 — a rocky one ruined when Davis demanded a trade midseason. It could be another reason Randle always gets up to face the Lakers, who drafted him in the 2014 lottery but didn’t re-sign him in 2018 when James came over from Cleveland.

Last season, en route to winning the title, the Lakers beat the Knicks at Staples Center on Jan. 7, 2020, but Davis fell hard on his tailbone contesting a Randle shot and missed multiple weeks with a sacral contusion.

At the Garden this season, Davis was nursing a calf/heel injury that cost him 30 games and sat next to James, who was also out.

“It’s going to be a fun matchup,’’ Davis said of facing Randle and the Knicks. “Last year I didn’t play much [against the Knicks] because I fell and hurt my back. I didn’t really get a chance to really get that [Randle] matchup. They’re fun.

“That team is hot. They came in and beat the Clippers. So they’re rolling. We got to get that game.”

Davis is starting to roll, too.

“I feel good. I’m getting my legs back and rhythm back,’’ Davis said. “I’m getting better each win, each game back. I’m going in the right direction.’’

Because of James’ and Davis’ long absences, the Lakers are fighting to stay out of the seventh seed and play-in tournament. The Lakers were not expected to practice Monday, but scheduled one late, presumably for James’ benefit.

When asked about James’ status and whether he’ll be good for the postseason, Davis gave hints “The King’’ is already back.

“What I’ve seen from LeBron [Monday],’’ Davis said before smirking and pausing on Zoom, “He’ll be fine. Trust me.’’

The Knicks can break their seven-year playoff drought, if Boston loses Tuesday and they upset the Lakers. That would assure them a top-six finish — and no play-in.

“Coach Thibs has done a phenomenal job on both sides of the ball,’’ Vogel said. “The way they’re playing offensively and using Julius, he’s doing an exceptional job. We’re going to have to play our best basketball to beat them, even with AD playing well. We have to be at our best.’’

➤ Alec Burks (contused left knee) was upgraded to questionable to face the Lakers but Immanuel Quickley (sprained left ankle) is still doubtful. Both players have missed the past two contests.