Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images
Anthony Davis is having himself a season.
The Los Angeles Lakers’ big man continued his excellent 2023-24 campaign on Wednesday, finishing one assist shy of a triple-double (28 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists) in a 127-110 win over the Dallas Mavericks (24-18).
He just missed out on recording his second triple-double in the past three games.
D’Angelo Russell, clearly pleased with his return to the starting lineup, added 29 points, while LeBron James put up a workmanlike 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.
The Lakers spoiled another big night from Luka Dončić, who recorded a triple-double (33 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists) in his return from a three-game injury absence, while Kyrie Irving never was able to get much going (12 points on 4-of-16 shooting from the field, six assists).
But Davis was the headliner in this one, and NBA fans and pundits on social media gave the big man some love:
As alluded to above, it’s hard to fathom that Davis is arguably playing the best basketball of his career, James remains a force to be reckoned with even at the age of 39 and the Lakers have a collection of very good role players… and still find themselves at just 21-21 on the year.
Regardless, if the Lakers find themselves in the dance and Davis continues to play at this level, they’ll be a tough out. It’s hard to imagine L.A.’s front office wasting one of the final years of James’ career, so it wouldn’t be surprising if they were very busy trying to add a third star ahead of the Feb. 8 trade deadline barring a major win streak from the team.
For the moment, they’ve won two in a row. It’s a start. If Davis continues to play at this level, you’d have to think more wins than losses would follow.
