The Los Angeles Lakers saw off the Minnesota Timberwolves 120-109 at the Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, and no one played better than nine-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis.
Davis, who was initially listed as questionable for the game in Los Angeles due to illness and left shoulder soreness, dominated the Timberwolves, who were shorthanded due to the absence of their “big men” pair of Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns.
The 31-year-old’s historic performance saw the Lakers center finish the game with 27 points, a season-high 25 rebounds, seven steals, five assists, and three blocks as he helped the 17-time NBA champions clinch their third win in four games.
Anthony Davis becomes the 1st player in NBA history to record 25+ points, 25+ rebounds, 5+ assists, and 5+ steals in a game! pic.twitter.com/nWEjfBW965
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) March 11, 2024
Davis became the first player in NBA history to reach 25 points, 25 rebounds, five steals, and five assists in a single game, as well as the first Laker to reach the 25-point and 25-rebound mark in two decades since Shaquille O’Neal achieved the feat in 2004, and the first player in the NBA to do so this season.
The former No. 1 pick also made individual history as he got seven steals in a regular-season game for the first time in his 12-year career. He also tied his career-best ten offensive rebounds in a game, having initially achieved this feat in the 2022–23 season against the Brooklyn Nets.
“When we’re out there having fun, everybody’s confidence is high,” Davis, who is only the eighth player since the 1982-83 season with at least 25 points, 25 rebounds and five assists in a game said.
“When we’re talking trash to the other team, we’re holding each other accountable, and we’re just playing the right way. We know what it takes. It’s just about having the consistency of playing that way each and every night.
“This team [Timberwolves] is No. 2 in the West, and still a good team,” he added. “Obviously, they’re missing key parts of their team, but they still have guys who can make plays, and they still find a way to win ballgames. We just wanted to come out as a team effort and knowing that wherever we are in the standings and how important this game was, trying to close the gap in the standings.”
Nothing like a big win on home court ???? pic.twitter.com/eFobaGIslw
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) March 11, 2024
LeBron James added 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists while shooting 10-16 from the field. Austin Reaves added 19 points and 6 rebounds; Rui Hachimura finished with 15 points as well as scoring three of his five 3-point attempts; and D’Angelo Russell ended the night with 13 points and six assists.
Anthony Edwards ended the game with 25 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists for the Timberwolves, who suffered their fourth defeat in six games. Naz Reid, who started in the center position, scored 25 points and hit five 3-pointers in his first start of the season for Minnesota.
The Lakers will be in Sacramento against the Kings on Wednesday night, while the Timberwolves, who dropped to third in the Western Conference standings, will remain in Los Angeles, where they will take on the Clippers on Tuesday night at the same arena.
