Anthony Davis turned simply the third Los Angeles Lakers participant to file back-to-back video games with at the very least 35 factors to open an NBA season, becoming a member of Jerry West (1969-70) and Elgin Baylor (1962-63).
Within the Lakers’ 110-103 season-opener victory in opposition to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday evening, Davis posted 36 factors on 11-of-23 (47.8%) capturing from the ground and 13-of-15 (86.7%) on the free throw line.
Then in Los Angeles’ 123-116 win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday evening, he scored 35 factors on 11-of-18 (61.1%) capturing from the sector and 13-of-17 (76.5%) on the foul line. This introduced his level whole to 71.
ANTHONY DAVIS HAS BEEN ON A MISSION TO START THE SEASON 😤 pic.twitter.com/KMqBCugIU8
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) October 26, 2024
When Davis was requested which Lakers gamers he joined, the nine-time All-Star had initially guessed Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Shaquille O’Neal, James Worthy, and LeBron James.
After which he bought one proper when he requested, “Jerry West?” West opened the 1969-70 season with 39 factors in his first sport and 42 in his second. James, standing at his locker subsequent to Davis, helped him establish the opposite legend.
“Elgin,” James mentioned. “Elgin Baylor,” Davis continued, recalling the Corridor-of-Fame ahead who began the 1962-63 season with 71 factors in his first two video games.
Anthony Davis helped JJ Redick develop into the primary Los Angeles Lakers coach with a 2-0 begin since Phil Jackson
Via two video games in his thirteenth NBA season, Davis is averaging 35.5 factors, 12.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.0 steal, 2.5 blocks, and 37.5 blocks whereas capturing 53.7% from the ground, 33.3% from 3-point vary, and 81.3% on the line.
“It’s crucial that he’s the principle focus for us each single evening,” James mentioned after ending with 21 factors and eight assists. “We all know what he’s going to do defensively, however offensively now we have to seek out him in a number of locations on the ground all through the entire sport. And we’ve carried out that by two video games.”
In response to Basketball-Reference, Phil Jackson in 2010-11 was the final Lakers coach to steer the franchise to a 2-0 begin. First-year head coach JJ Redick praised Davis for main the group to consecutive victories.
“There’s an intentionality to have [Davis] concerned as a lot as doable,” Redick mentioned. “We acknowledge what sort of participant he’s and that he can create mismatches. … There’s a consolation degree and a confidence degree that he has that, if the sport begins getting wacky, he is aware of the ball goes to return again to him. … The ball goes to seek out him.”
