Anthony Davis delivered a historic performance with 27 points, 25 rebounds, 7 steals, 5 assists, and 3 blocks, a stat line never before recorded in the league, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 120-109 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday.
This win against the Western Conference’s No. 2 team capped a successful week for L.A., who also defeated the West’s top team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 team, the Milwaukee Bucks.
“I think we’re hitting our stride right now,” Davis said after the win, which pushed the Lakers to six games above .500 for the first time this season.
“We’re just trying to keep going, keep pushing, knowing that just like last year, all we got to do is get in. We feel like it’s tough for anybody to beat us in a seven-game series. … We like our chances against anybody at that point.”
Lakers vs Wolves (Via NBA/Twitter)
Davis entered the game listed as questionable due to left shoulder soreness from a collision with the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo on Friday. The Lakers medical staff wrapped his shoulder with a heat pack when he was subbed out and on the bench.
“I felt it at times out there,” Davis said of his shoulder soreness. “I still kind of feel it.”
Davis’ dominant performance came against a Minnesota team missing its two star big men, Rudy Gobert (right hamstring) and Karl-Anthony Towns (left knee).
“A Hall of Fame performance,” Lakers wingman Taurean Prince said of Davis’ night, highlighting that he became the first player to record at least 25 points, 25 rebounds, 5 assists, and 5 steals in a game since steals were officially recorded starting in 1973-74.
LeBron James’ return from a sore left ankle, where he scored 29 points on 10-for-16 shooting, with 9 assists and 8 rebounds, was overshadowed by Davis’ stellar game.
Anthony Davis (Via NBA/Twitter)
Davis’ 7 steals were a career-high and the most by a Lakers player since Lou Williams in December 2015. His rebounding total was one short of his career high and the highest by a Lakers player since Dwight Howard in January 2013.
Davis achieved this feat the day before his 31st birthday.
“It was before my birthday, so I guess we can [count it],” Davis said. “It’s actually the first time I’m able to celebrate my birthday in my entire career at, like, home. On my actual birthday.”
The Lakers currently sit at No. 9 in the West with 16 games remaining, just two games behind the No. 6 Phoenix Suns. Their stated goal is to avoid the play-in tournament by finishing the season sixth or better.
“Regardless of where we stand, if we go put our best foot forward and play the basketball that we know we can play … I think if you go ask anybody in our locker room, we’re super confident with what we have,” Lakers guard Austin Reaves said.
