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Dave McMenamin, ESPN Staff Writer
LOS ANGELES — Anthony Davis had a historic performance — his 27 points, 25 rebounds, seven steals, five assists and three blocks have never been duplicated in the league — And the Los Angeles Lakers defeated another top-tier opponent Sunday, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 120-109.
With the win over the second-place team in the Western Conference, LA capped off a week that also included wins over the Oklahoma City Thunder, first in the West, and the Milwaukee Bucks, second in the Eastern Conference.
“I think we're in great shape right now,” Davis said after the win moved the Lakers six games over .500 for the first time this season. “We're just trying to keep going and keep pushing because we know all we have to do is come out, just like we did last year.” I feel like it's going to be tough for anybody to beat. … Like we have a chance against anybody at that point.”
Davis entered the night on the questionable list with left shoulder soreness from a collision with the Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo on Friday. The Lakers' medical staff placed a warm compress on Davis' shoulder as he left the game and went to the bench.
“I felt it sometimes outside,” Davis said of his shoulder pain. “I still kind of feel it.”
Davis made his presence felt against a Minnesota team missing two star big men in Rudy Gobert (right hamstring) and Karl-Anthony Towns (left knee).
Lakers wingman Taurean Prince called Davis' night “a Hall of Fame performance.” Davis became the first player to record at least 25 points, 25 rebounds, five assists and five steals in a game since steals became an official statistic in 1973. -74.
It was a great game for Davis, who completely overshadowed LeBron James, who returned from a sore left ankle and recorded 29 points on 10-of-16 shooting, nine assists, and eight rebounds.
Davis' seven steals were a career high and the most by a Lakers player since Lou Williams in December 2015. Davis' rebound total was one shy of a 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.
“It was before my birthday, so I think I can do it.” [count it]” Davis said. “It's actually the first time in my career that I've been able to celebrate a birthday at home or anything like that. On my real birthday.”
LA is in ninth place in the West with 16 games remaining, just two games behind the sixth-place Phoenix Suns. The Lakers have said their goal is to finish the season in sixth place or higher and avoid the play-in tournament.
“No matter where we stand, if we give it our all and play the basketball that we know we can play…if you ask anyone in the locker room, they'll be very impressed with what we have. I think we're confident,''' Lakers guard Austin Reeves said.
