The Lakers’ new large man went to the free throw line. The crew’s former large man was on the thoughts of followers.
“I miss you, AD!” a Lakers fan shouted into the silence as Deandre Ayton ready to shoot a free throw within the first quarter Friday.
Former Lakers star Anthony Davis performed his first sport in L.A. since being traded to the Mavericks final season, ending with 12 factors, 5 assists, 5 rebounds and three blocks within the Lakers’ 129-119 win at Crypto.com Area.
The Lakers (14-4) gained their sixth consecutive sport and clinched West Group B within the NBA Cup, securing homecourt benefit for the match quarterfinals. The Lakers will host the San Antonio Spurs, who gained West Group C, on Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.
The Mavericks (5-15) misplaced their third straight because the blockbuster commerce that despatched Luka Doncic to L.A. has solely develop into extra lopsided within the 10 months because it shocked the NBA.
Doncic had 35 factors and 11 assists for the Lakers. Former Laker guard Max Christie, who was additionally concerned within the commerce, had 13 factors and has develop into a daily starter for the Mavericks.
After two emotional matchups towards his former crew final 12 months, Doncic mentioned among the emotions have subsided, however video games towards Dallas will at all times have particular which means for him.
Friday’s sport was a well-timed return for Davis, who performed in his first sport after lacking a month with a calf pressure. The harm stretched for weeks because the Mavericks fell into the basement of the Western Convention.
LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 28, 2025: Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) scores two of his 38 factors towards Dallas Mavericks guard Klay Thompson (31) within the second half at Crypto.con Area on November 28, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Occasions)
(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Occasions)
In the meantime, the Lakers have the second-best report within the West. Doncic leads the league in scoring with 35.1 factors per sport.
Doncic’s continued ascent to superstardom and Davis’ rising harm listing has solely made the commerce extra bitter for Mavericks followers. They obtained their type of revenge when former normal supervisor Nico Harrison was fired on Nov. 11, however the change solely signaled a brand new low for the franchise that went to the NBA Finals two quick seasons in the past.
Now the participant who was supposed to assist fill the void left by Doncic has been included in commerce rumors. The Mavericks went 3-11 with out Davis.
To make sure Davis stayed in a constructive psychological state throughout the time of turmoil for the franchise, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd inspired him to easily keep centered on getting wholesome.
“The train keeps moving,” Kidd mentioned. “No matter of a trade or a dismissal, you got to keep moving. And so for AD, [it] was to focus on his body, come back healthy. … Can’t get everything solved in 24 minutes tonight, but as we go forward, we feel like we have a chance to win when he’s in uniform.”
Davis was on a 24- to 27-minute restrict Friday. To stick to the restriction, he needed to depart the sport with 6:56 left within the fourth quarter with the Mavericks down by simply three factors.
Leaving the court docket damage, Davis mentioned. He had gotten two blocks, an help and a basket throughout the first 5 minutes of the fourth quarter, then the Lakers went on a 9-1 run after Davis went to the bench.
To Kidd, Davis continues to be among the best on the planet when he’s wholesome. The coach pointed to Davis’ spectacular play within the Paris Olympics when he averaged 8.3 factors, 6.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks whereas capturing 62.5% from the sphere.
The Lakers didn’t must be reminded of Davis’ expertise. Coach JJ Redick mentioned Davis would get the respect that every one star gamers deserve due to his versatile skillset. However greater than the photographs he blocked or baskets he scored with the Lakers, Redick valued Davis for his assist throughout Redick’s first 12 months as a head coach.
“Very grateful that I had buy-in from him coming in Day 1 never had coached before,” Redick mentioned. “So, it’s one of those things like you’re rooting for certain guys. … There are certain teammates you had, there’s always going to be guys that I coached [who] I either root for them after they are not your teammate and they are not one of your players. Just not when they play against us. Not tonight.”
The Lakers performed a tribute video final 12 months when Davis was sidelined with an belly harm for his first sport again after the commerce. Followers have been showered him with cheers when he was launched within the beginning lineup Friday. LeBron James playfully bumped Davis on the heart of the court docket earlier than the sport then they did the identical intricate handshake they carried out earlier than video games as teammates.
Lakers guard Luka Doncic places up a jumper between Dallas Mavericks ahead P.J. Washington and guard Max Christie on Friday at Crypto.com Area.
(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Occasions)
After the sport, Lakers gamers lined as much as hug Davis. Austin Reaves, who dominated with 38 factors on 12 for 15 capturing with eight rebounds and three assists, gave him a two-armed bear hug. Davis grabbed the strap of his jersey and pointed towards Reaves.
“I always liked his game, what he was able to do,” Davis mentioned. “Just now he’s doing it on a more consistent basis, putting up elite numbers. … He’s a player who I always knew could play to this level.”
Reaves left the Lakers locker room with Davis’ blue No. 3 jersey signed by his former teammate.
“He’s one of the best players to ever touch a basketball. I don’t know why he wanted my jersey,” Reaves mentioned. “But for me to get his, it’s pretty fun. … From Day 1, he was telling me to be myself, don’t be anybody else. Continue to work and really be myself on the court. So I owe him a lot.”
