The Los Angeles Lakers took care of business in Charlotte on Monday night, defeating the Hornets 112-107 to extend their win streak to four games. They led from start to finish, powered by a dominant performance from two-way star Anthony Davis, who had an outing the Hornets simply couldn’t contain.
After dropping 36 points and 13 rebounds against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, Davis one-upped himself, finishing with an incredible 42 points, 23 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks, while shooting 17-for-28 from the field in 36 minutes of action.
Following his remarkable performance, the Lakers announced that for just the fifth time in his illustrious NBA career, which began in 2012 when he was drafted by the New Orleans Pelicans, Davis has posted a game with 40-plus points and 20-plus rebounds.
After the game, the Lakers posted on X:
“For the fifth time in his career, AD has FORTY point & TWENTY+ rebounds”, the Lakers posted on X
Davis has been vital to the Lakers’ success this season and is on track to be named an All-Star reserve when the rest of the rosters are revealed this week. However, many still believe he deserves to be a starter, given his impressive averages of 25.9 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.2 blocks, and 1.3 steals through 44 games.
The Lakers are now 26-18, having won six of their last seven games, as they head into a back-to-back against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night with plenty of momentum.
For the first time since 2021, they’re eight games over .500 as the NBA trade deadline and All-Star Weekend approach, and rumors have swirled that the team may be looking to make a move, particularly for a center to complement Davis.
Currently sitting at No. 5 in the Western Conference, maintaining that position-and possibly even catching the Denver Nuggets for the No. 4 spot-will be key as the team navigates the final 38 games of the season.