As the Lakers continued their quest to climb out of the Play-in Tournament, they were once again led by Anthony Davis in a key matchup against the Timberwolves. Despite injuring his left shoulder against the Bucks, the star big man persevered and made history Sunday night. It not only strengthened the Lakers’ case as a postseason threat but added to Davis’s case for Defensive Player of the Year.
Anthony Davis Strengthens DPOY Case with Historic Performance
Background
Anthony Davis recorded 27 points, 25 rebounds, five assists, seven steals (career-high) and three blocks as the Lakers beat the Wolves, 120-109. The Brow became the first player in NBA history to record such a stat, and he was also the first Laker since Shaquille O’Neal to go for 25 points and 25 rebounds. In a season full of history for the purple and gold, Davis continues to make his mark.
ESPN’s Dave McMenamin added some perspective to AD’s outing and where it stands in the Lakers’ history books:
“Davis’ 7 steals were a career high and the most by a Lakers player since Lou Williams in December 2015. Davis’ rebounding total was one shy of his career high and the most by a Lakers player since Dwight Howard in January 2013.
And Davis did it the day before his 31st birthday.”
The game was a must-win to help the Lakers improve in the conference standings. The Timberwolves fell to no. 3 after occupying the no. 2 seed in the West, and had been the top seed before the Thunder took over. On the other side, the Lakers have remained in the Play-in throughout the season. However, their recent wins have shortened the gap between them and other contenders, including the sixth-seeded Phoenix Suns.
The Lakers also hit a notable mark last night: they are now six games above .500 for the first time in nearly three years.
AD’s Case for DPOY
As excellent as Davis’s offense was, his impressive defense has reignited conversations over his Defensive Player of the Year status. The Wolves may have been missing Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert, but it didn’t matter. Davis once again proved that he never takes nights off and is capable of producing superior stat lines against one of the best teams in the West.
Last game they played:
AD
33 Points
17 Rebounds
8 Assists
4 Steals
2 BlocksWhat are we even doing rn besides hating lol https://t.co/gPDPayEeRb
— GoldenKnight (@GoldenKnightGFX) March 11, 2024
After Sunday’s win, AD is second in the league in total defensive boards (581) and third in total rebounds (773). Among centers, he’s attained top-five marks in blocks (152, fourth in the NBA) and steals (73, third). Others are right to point out that players like Gobert, Brook Lopez and Victor Wembanyama have stifled opposing offenses for months this season. However, when Davis erases opportunities like he did last night—or hounds the competition like this—you can’t deny that his chances of earning DPOY should skyrocket.
Davis has been LA’s defensive anchor all season long. His contributions are why the team is sixth in defensive rebounds per game (34.5) and tenth in blocks (5.6). Great defense leads to great offense, and look no further than Davis’s standout season to confirm that. In addition to nearly 25 points and 12 rebounds per game, he has averaged 2.5 blocks and 1.2 steals.
Most 10-stock games among active players:
14 — Anthony Davis
4 — Draymond Green
4 — Victor Wembanyama pic.twitter.com/zMbLDRBJ0V— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 11, 2024
If AD can string together defensive masterclasses like this one, the rest of the Lakers can follow in his footsteps. Remaining sound on that end of the floor will be key as the Lakers’ tough March schedule continues.
And considering the NBA’s new 65-game threshold for awards—with 16 games left in LA’s regular season—there’s a high chance Davis will meet that requirement. But all that aside, Davis has put in the work and clearly meets the criteria for Defensive Player of the Year. It’s time for fans and the league to recognize that.
The Last Word on Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis has heard the disrespect for far too long. This season, he’s been on a mission to change the narrative—and he’s done so successfully. While the Lakers still have a lot of work ahead, Davis’s dominance makes it easier.
Nights like these are what make the Lakers all the more dangerous in the West. Davis has stated previously how the team doesn’t care about seeding, and how anything can happen in the playoffs. AD unlocking this level of play in March may be a sign of great things to come in April—and possibly beyond.
