Davis finds scoring touch for LA
Anthony Davis is healthy. His numbers have never been healthier.
And, not coincidentally, the Los Angeles Lakers are playing like the team they expected to be.
With 99 points in his last two games — his most ever in a span of two regular-season contests — Davis is doing something that few in the league’s history have done before. He shot 40 for 57 from the floor in those games, his 44-point performance at Milwaukee on Friday was followed by a 55point outburst at Washington on Sunday.
“Body feels great, in the gym working on my game, we’re coming together collectively as a unit, so everything is going well for us right now,” Davis said.
The Lakers are 8-2 in their last 10 games, 7-2 when Davis plays in that span. For some perspective, before this stretch, they were only 7-20 in Davis’ last 27 appearances — much of that because either he, or Lebron James, or both were either sidelined by injuries or trying to play through them.
But, finally, Davis — who was limited to 60 games over the last two seasons — has his health and his game back. He’s averaging 28.6 points, a league-best 12.8 rebounds, and doing it all
on 59% shooting. All three of those numbers are on pace to be career-bests for the eight-time All-star who is making an early run at getting into the MVP conversation.
“The first and foremost thing is his health,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “I think he’s feeling great. His body is feeling great. He had a few back issues early on and he’s worked his
way through them. And you can see it in his face as well as you can see it in his play he’s having fun playing the game of basketball pain-free.”
The Lakers are two games into a six-game road trip that continues Tuesday in Cleveland, a homecoming for James, the former Cavaliers star and northeast Ohio native who is now within 1,000 points of catching
Kareem Abdul-jabbar for the NBA’S all-time scoring record.
But right now, even he’s pointing to Davis as the league’s top player.
“He’s been unbelievable on both sides of the floor,” James said. “Playing like the MVP of this league. Straight dominance. Straight dominance . ... I just think he’s hit a switch where he knows how dominant he can be, night in and night out.”
Nike parts ways with Irving over Tweets
Nike and Brooklyn Nets guard Kyrie Irving parted ways on Monday in the wake of an antisemitism controversy that led the sneaker manufacturer to shelve the latest edition of his signature sneakers.
Irving, 30, had been one of the brand’s most visible endorsers since his first sneaker was released in 2014. The Athletic first reported the end of the eight-year partnership, and Irving’s agent, Shetellia Riley Irving, told CNBC that the two sides had “mutually decided to part ways.”
Lillard scores 21 in return for Blazers
Jerami Grant scored 28 points to lead the Portland Trail Blazers over the Indiana Pacers 116-100 on Sunday night.
Blazers star Damian Lillard scored 21 points and had six assists in his first game since returning from a calf strain he suffered on Nov. 19. He’s missed 12 games so far this season.
“It felt good especially coming off last night. We picked up a big win and I just wanted to encourage the team and bring that energy to get us on a win streak,” Lillard said.