Lakers get historic night from Anthony Davis, sink Wolves

Field Level Media|published: Mon 11th March, 24:28 2024

Mar 10, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) and Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) tip off during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena. credits: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Anthony Davis scored 27 points to go along with a season-high 25 rebounds, LeBron James added 29 points and the host Los Angeles Lakers finished off a 120-109 victory over the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night.

Austin Reaves scored 19 points, Rui Hachimura had 15 and D'Angelo Russell added 13 as the Lakers improved to 5-2 since Feb. 28.

Davis added five assists, seven steals and three blocks to become the first player in NBA history with at least 25 points, 25 rebounds, five assists, five steals and three blocks in a game.

James added nine assists and eight rebounds in 38 minutes after he missed Friday's victory over the Milwaukee Bucks due to a left ankle injury.

Naz Reid and Anthony Edwards each scored 25 points for the Timberwolves, who were without Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) for a third consecutive game. Minnesota was also missing big man Rudy Gobert (hamstring) and Kyle Anderson (shoulder).

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 15 points and Jordan McLaughlin added 12 for Minnesota, which fell to 2-4 since the start of March after it went 8-3 in February.

The Lakers shot 66.7 percent from the floor in the first half but led just 69-68 at the break, in part due to 11 turnovers that the Timberwolves turned into 14 points.

Los Angeles stormed out to an 83-70 lead with 7:50 remaining in the third quarter before Minnesota fashioned a 15-1 run to go up by one at 85-84. The Timberwolves led 92-91 heading into the fourth quarter following a Luka Garza floater at the buzzer.

The Lakers took control with a 21-4 run to open the fourth, taking a 112-96 lead with 5:57 remaining after a 3-pointer from Reaves. The Wolves missed their first nine shots from the floor in the final period.

The Lakers shot 53 percent from the floor for the game and were 10 of 24 (41.7 percent) from 3-point range while winning the rebounding battle 56-38. The Wolves shot 42.3 percent overall and were 16-for-46 (34.8 percent) from deep. Los Angeles won despite committing 21 turnovers.

—Field Level Media