"38 points on one leg talk to my big man nice"- NBA fans applaud Anthony Davis for playing through pain against the Wolves
Anthony Davis just turned in one of the gutsiest performances of his entire NBA in tonight’s game between the LA Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves. AD dropped 38 points despite injuring his left ankle in the third quarter to lead the Lakers to a 123-111 win over the Timberwolves.
Most Lakers fans couldn’t get enough of his incredible display and applauded AD on Twitter:
“38 POINTS ON ONE LEG TALK TO MY BIG MAN NICE”
Davis injured his left ankle when the Lakers made a big run in the third quarter, which swung momentum to their side. He laid on the floor for nearly two minutes writhing in pain. AD gingerly stood up and walked to the bench.
The injury only seemed to energize Anthony Davis in the fourth quarter. “The Brow” exploded for 17 of his 38 points against the twin-tower combo of Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert in the final period.
AD doubled his stamp on the game by scoring 12 straight points late in the pivotal period to leave the Timberwolves in the dust. He left no doubt that he was the best player on the floor despite an injured ankle.
Davis also added 17 rebounds, a steal, two blocks and changed several shots around the rim. The eight-time All-Star has been criticized this season for disappearing in big moments. Tonight was certainly not one of those as he showed incredible grit and passion to win.
On one leg and against one of the best rim protectors in NBA history, Anthony Davis was unstoppable. Even the rolled ankle barely kept him from overwhelming the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Davis asserted a week ago that the LA Lakers need to close out the regular season like they are all Game 7s. Tonight was an indication that he was going to back up his claim with a gutsy and dominant performance.
The LA Lakers need more of these from Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis played like a true franchise cornerstone who played like an MVP who willed his team to the win. However, there have been numerous occasions in the past where he's seemingly disengaged and even hesitant to show superstar talent.
Davis has been prone to making bad decisions as well. The game against the Dallas Mavericks on Mar. 17 was such an example where AD made three questionable plays that cost them the game. Maxi Kleber's game-winning three-pointer was the highlight of the game, but that would not have happened had it not been for Davis' poor decision-making.
Anthony Davis admitted that he was at fault for why the LA Lakers lost. The following game against the Orlando Magic, he was nowhere near atoning for his poor play against the Mavericks. Only Austin Reaves' spectacular game saved the Lakers from another embarrassing loss.
That isn't the version of Davis the Lakers want as they close the season or if they make the playoffs. Tonight's performance will be what they are hoping to consistently get from the eight-time All-Star.
Guess the Lakers players!
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Michael Macasero