The Los Angeles Lakers walked away with a 107-99 win over the Dallas Mavericks at the Crypto.com arena last night. This was a special home win, as the hosts brought former Lakers champion Anthony Davis back to LA less than a month after he was traded to Dallas for Luka Doncic.
LeBron James and Davis played 249 games together on the Lakers over the last six seasons. While their partnership is over, James made it clear in the post-game press conference that they have a bond for life even though they’re no longer teammates.
“We know what AD was for this franchise. What he did for the franchise from the moment we got him. To hold a Larry O’Brien trophy, to All-Star nods, winning the first inaugural In-Season Tournament, and many dominant nights not only in this building but on the road as well. Obviously, our friendship goes without saying. He’s one of my best friends. It was great to see him get that recognition in that moment.”
"He's one of my best friends." 🥹
LeBron reflects on his relationship with Anthony Davis and the impact he had on LA pic.twitter.com/B0TWaS5559
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) February 26, 2025
LeBron averaged 25.2 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 8.4 assists in 249 games with Anthony Davis in his career while Davis put up 24.6 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks over the same stretch.
James was speaking in reference to the Lakers honoring the return of Davis by making a video package for him in recognition of his efforts for the franchise. LeBron could be seen rooting for his former co-star on the court as he basked in the adoration of a Lakers fanbase grateful for Davis’ services.
Tribute in Los Angeles for Anthony Davis 🙏
LeBron clapping it up for his guy 👏 pic.twitter.com/PzFVQhrwkW
— NBA (@NBA) February 26, 2025
Unfortunately, Davis couldn’t play in his team’s first game back in LA. He’s been out since his Mavericks debut where he suffered an adductor strain in his first game for the franchise. Davis’s injury, along with Dereck Lively II and Daniel Gafford, has created a major roster issue that the team is trying to work through.
It didn’t work against LA last night, as Davis watched LeBron turn back the clock once again. James put up 27 points (11-17 FG) and 12 rebounds in the win while Luka Doncic put up an impressive triple-double with 19 points (6-17 FG), 15 rebounds, and 12 assists in his first clash against the Mavericks since being traded.
The teams face each other one more time this season in a game that might have a lot more attention than the one tonight. The Mavs will host the Lakers in Dallas on April 9 in one of the final matchups of the season which will mark Doncic’s first game in the American Airlines Center while wearing a different team’s jersey.
Davis is expected to be healthy for the game given his current timeline pegging him for a return sometime in March. He’s averaging 25.7 points, 12.0 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, and 1.3 steals per game this season.
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