It is without question that Adam Silver made the right call when he decided to suspend the NBA season due to the coronavirus pandemic. Nonetheless, it's also hard to deny that this could not have come at a worse time for the Los Angeles Lakers, who went into the hiatus with a Western Conference-best 49-14 record.
This has been an season for the Purple & Gold, and there has been no shortage of memorable moments for the side this term. Today, we take a look at the best individual performances for the Lakers this season, in no particular order.
LeBron James @ Mavs (Nov. 1)
After a forgettable debut season for the Lakers last year, LeBron James was a man on a mission entering the 2019-20 campaign. He set the tone early in the season for L.A., and their matchup against the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 1 was no exception. This was LeBron's first meeting of the season against a surging Luka Doncic, who was taking the league by storm in his sophomore year.
There was so much hype surrounding the Luka vs. LeBron matchup, and both players did not disappoint. Doncic logged an astounding 31-point, 13-rebound, 15-assist triple-double in what was also one of his best outings of the season. Not to be outdone, James would finish with 39 points (13-of-23 from the field, 9-of-11 from the line), 12 rebounds, 16 assists, four steals, a block, and four triples, leading the Lakers to a 119-110 overtime victory.
Anthony Davis vs. Timberwolves (Dec. 8)
The arrival of Anthony Davis over the summer is without a doubt the biggest factor that has elevated L.A.'s level of play this season. The 6-foot-10 big man has had his fair share of memorable performances in his young Lakers career, but none better than his 50-point gem against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
With Karl-Anthony Towns and company coming to L.A., Davis would make sure to come out with a statement game. He dropped a highly efficient 50-pointer against the Wolves on 20-of-29 form the field and 10-of-10 from the charity stripe. Davis would lead the charge in a 142-125 blowout victory, lifting the Lakers to their 21st win in 24 games.
Anthony Davis twice gets his revenge against the Pelicans (Nov. 27 and Jan. 3)
Davis put forth two monster performances against his former team before the hiatus. Nov. 27 was his first game back in his old stomping grounds, and it had the revenge game narrative written all over it.
Davis has said on several occasions that he holds no ill will against his former team, but he certainly reminded the fans what they were missing as he dominated the Pelicans en route to a 41-point effort at the Smoothie King Center. The 27-year-old went 15-of-30 from the field and 10-of-12 from the stripe while also adding nine boards, an assist, three steals, a block, and one 3-pointer in a 114-110 victory.
Then, in L.A. on Jan. 3, Davis went for 46 points on 15-of-21 shooting overall and 3-of-5 from 3-land against his former team in a 123-113 victory. The former Pelicans star added 13 boards, three steals, one block, and one assist to get revenge once again. New Orleans certainly got the message.
LeBron James vs. Bucks, @ Clippers (Mar. 6, 8)
Last but not least, we end with LeBron's back-to-back effort against two of the best teams in the NBA. This went down just days before the league was shut down, which makes them even more memorable.
James kicked things off with an epic performance — definitely one of his best in a Lakers uniform — against the league-best Milwaukee Bucks. Reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo's dominance was in full display in this one, with the Bucks superstar logging 32 points, 11 rebounds, six assists, and a steal. LeBron would not let the young gun outduel him in his own backyard, with James taking over for the Lakers on both ends of the floor. He finished with 37 points (12-of-21 from the field, 12-of-15 from the line), eight rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and one 3-pointer as the Lakers handed Milwaukee just their 10th loss of the season.
A couple of nights later and LeBron was back at it again. This time, it was against a full-strength Clippers side — ranked second in the West behind the Lakers — led by reigning Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, who with Paul George combined for 58 points. James had another vintage showing, though, leading his team to a memorable 112-103 victory with 28 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, and a couple of blocks.
Sadly, there is now a possibility that this season gets canceled altogether. If this were the case, then one of the few consolation prizes for Lakers supporters would be these outstanding performances courtesy of their two main men, LeBron and Davis.
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