NBA Top Five Performances, Feb. 26: Anthony Davis’ 30-Point Performance Gave Los Angeles Lakers Victory
TOP PLAYER OF THE DAY:
The new-look Los Angeles Lakers are giving fans hope in the final stretch of the season. One sign of optimism is Anthony Davis’ 30-point performance to rally against the Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers overcame a 27-point second quarter deficit, the franchise’s largest comeback since 2002. Davis had 30 points and 15 rebounds, with the shot that gave Los Angeles a three-point lead in the waning seconds.
After previously labeling this season as a disappointment, Los Angeles has the opportunity to make noise as a potential playoff team. Davis’ health is always a concern but games like this prove his effect when he can stay on the court.
“The guys never got discouraged,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said. “They had that look of frustration, but it wasn't a look of defeat on their faces. Everybody just wanted to stay encouraged.”
OTHERS:
- Jrue Holiday had 33 points in the Milwaukee Bucks’ 14th straight win, including their second consecutive victory without star Giannis Antetokounmpo.
- Trae Young had 34 points against the Brooklyn Nets, including the game-winning buzzer beater to give the Atlanta Hawks their second consecutive victory.
- Damian Lillard unleashed against the Houston Rockets with a career-high 71 points, becoming just the eighth player in NBA history to have a 70-point game.
- Nikola Jokic added to his MVP campaign with 40 points, 17 rebounds and 10 assists in the Denver Nuggets’ overtime victory against the Los Angeles Clippers. It was his 99th career triple double, putting him seven games behind LeBron James for the fifth-most in NBA history.
Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at jayden.armant@bison.howard.edu or follow him on Twitter @jaydenarmant.
