The Los Angeles Lakers maximized their game against a shorthanded Minnesota Timberwolves to pick up a 120-109 win, with Anthony Davis putting up a never-seen-before stat line during the game, with 27 points, 25 rebounds, five assists, seven steals, and three blocks.
“Effort, knowing the importance of the game… Obviously, they were missing key parts of their team, but they still have guys that can make plays and win a ball game… We’re trying to close the gap in the standings (between the Lakers and teams in front of them).”
Davis also joked about D’Angelo Russell betting him that he couldn’t get a triple-double with steals, something he came close to doing tonight.
“I just heard D-Lo say, ‘I bet you can’t get a triple-double with steals.'”
Anthony Davis ensured the Timberwolves paid the price of being without both Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert in this game. While he scored more the last time these two teams played each other, including a healthy Timberwolves backline, their absence tonight allowed AD to impact the game on multiple levels.
Davis is averaging 24.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.2 steals, and 2.5 blocks this season, repeatedly proving to the world why he’s considered the Lakers’ most impactful player even with LeBron James on the roster.
AD performing at a superstar level makes the difference for the Lakers and it’ll be crucial for him to step up as the Lakers look to climb up to the No. 6 seed after improving their record to 36-30 tonight.
Austin Reaves And Darvin Ham React To The Performace
The Lakers are used to seeing Davis be capable of some incredible performances. Tonight will rank among his greatest performances in the Lakers jersey. Even teammate Austin Reaves was stunned to see this level of performance.
“Usually I just say he’s supposed to do things like that… but that’s impressive.”
Reaves also called Davis’ performance dominant.
“Just pure dominance. That’s what he does. Anytime we missed a shot, he was there to get an offensive rebound and give us another opportunity.”
Head coach Darvin Ham had a lot of compliments for Davis’ performance himself, calling him a monster for his contributions tonight.
“Just being a monster all night, him being proactive, did a great job communicating with his teammates.”
The Lakers are heading into two very important games next. They’ll first have a rematch with the Sacramento Kings after losing to them earlier this week in a game where AD failed to be impactful. They’ll follow that up with a game against the Warriors, whose pursuit of the No. 9 seed has cooled off after shock losses in their last two games.
The Lakers are comfortable as the No. 9 seed, trailing the No. 8 Dallas Mavericks by one game, the No. 7 Sacramento Kings by 1.5 games, and the No. 6 Phoenix Suns by two games. They have a 1.5-game advantage over the No. 10 Golden State Warriors.
With the Lakers having won their season series against the Suns, and lost the same to the Mavericks, games against the Kings and Warriors could have long-reaching consequences on the West playoff race.
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