Anthony Davis dominates opener as Lakers’ offense runs through him

Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) reaches out to slap hands with LeBron James, left, and Gabe Vincent, right, after scoring against the Timberwolves Tuesday at Crypto.com Arena. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

The two friends and teammates on the U.S. gold-medal winning Olympic basketball team in Paris during the summer had a tense exchange in the heat of the moment Tuesday night, words that Lakers All-Star Anthony Davis and Minnesota All-Star Anthony Edwards meant while the drama was unfolding.

Davis had just scored on Edwards and was fouled on the play early in the third quarter when they came face-to-face with each other, neither backing down.

When asked about that exchange, Davis laughed.

“When he wanted to punch me in the face,” Davis said, smiling.

Read more: LeBron and Bronny James make history in Lakers’ season-opening win

Is that what he told Davis?

“Naw, but that’s what he wanted to do, though,” Davis said.

Davis later said the two are very good friends and they did hug each other after the game.

It’s just that Davis did most of the punching Tuesday night, his play knocking out the Timberwolves and lifting the Lakers to a win in their regular-season opener at Crypto.com Arena.

During the game, LeBron James and Bronny James made NBA history by becoming the first father-son duo to play together, but Davis was the one who delivered the big blows. He finished with 36 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots.

The clash with Edwards stood out because Davis is not known to talk much trash. Davis delivered an outstanding third quarter with 13 points and five rebounds.

Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) reacts after an official negates his steal from Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) at Crypto.com Arena Tuesday. (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

“No, that’s my guy,” Davis said about Edwards. “I got the and-one and just his competitive nature, he hates … Actually it goes back to the Olympics. We talked about it and he said we’re the team he hates playing the most because we don’t let him play. We make him pass the ball and I got the and-one on him and I was screaming…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/anthony-davis-dominates-opener-lakers-153943954.html

Author : LA Times

Publish date : 2024-10-23 15:39:00

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