Anthony Davis places up historic stat line as Lakers down Wolves

LOS ANGELES — Anthony Davis put up a historic stat line — his 27 factors, 25 rebounds, 7 steals, 5 assists and three blocks had by no means been replicated earlier than within the league — and the Los Angeles Lakers downed one other top-tier opponent by beating the Minnesota Timberwolves 120-109 on Sunday.

The win over the Western Convention’s No. 2 group capped off every week through which L.A. additionally got here out victorious towards the West’s No. 1 group, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, and the Jap Convention’s No. 2 group, the Milwaukee Bucks.

“I believe we’re hitting our stride proper now,” Davis mentioned after the win lifted the Lakers to 6 video games above .500 for the primary time all season. “We’re simply attempting to maintain going, hold pushing, figuring out that similar to final 12 months, all we bought to do is get in. We really feel prefer it’s robust for anyone to beat us in a seven-game sequence. … We like our possibilities towards anyone at that time.”

Davis got here into the evening listed as questionable with left shoulder soreness from a collision with the Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo on Friday. The Lakers medical workers wrapped Davis’ shoulder with a warmth pack when he was subbed out of the sport and on the bench.

“I felt it at occasions on the market,” Davis mentioned of his shoulder soreness. “I nonetheless sort of really feel it.”

Davis made his presence felt towards a Minnesota group lacking its two star huge males in Rudy Gobert (proper hamstring) and Karl-Anthony Cities (left knee).

“A Corridor of Fame efficiency,” Lakers wingman Taurean Prince mentioned of Davis’ evening, through which he grew to become the primary participant with not less than 25 factors, 25 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals in a recreation since steals grew to become an official stat in 1973-74.

It was such an ideal recreation for Davis that LeBron James getting back from a sore left ankle to place up 29 factors on 10-for-16 capturing, 9 assists and eight rebounds was utterly overshadowed.

Davis’ 7 steals had been a profession excessive and essentially the most by a Lakers participant since Lou Williams in December 2015. Davis’ rebounding whole was one shy of his profession excessive and essentially the most by a Lakers participant since Dwight Howard in January 2013.

And Davis did it the day earlier than his thirty first birthday.

“It was earlier than my birthday, so I suppose we are able to [count it],” Davis mentioned. “It is truly the primary time I can rejoice my birthday in my total profession at, like, residence. On my precise birthday.”

L.A. is No. 9 within the West with 16 video games remaining — simply two video games behind the No. 6 Phoenix Suns. The Lakers have acknowledged their purpose is to keep away from the play-in match by ending the season sixth or higher.

“No matter the place we stand, if we go put our greatest foot ahead and play the basketball that we all know we are able to play … I believe when you go ask anyone in our locker room, we’re tremendous assured with what now we have,” Lakers guard Austin Reaves mentioned.