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Anthony Davis was spectacular for the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday, leading his team to a hard-fought 116-108 victory against a formidable Utah Jazz side. Davis also matched a few records thanks to Sunday's performance, and in the process, entered the history books for the Lakers alongside the late, great Kobe Bryant.
Davis was asked to comment about his achievement following the game, and the 6-foot-10 big man acknowledged that it's an absolute honor for him to be mentioned in the same breath as Kobe.
"I just got chills. … to be in a category with [Kobe Bryant], I know he's looking down on us and cheering us on, so we want to do it for him."
–Anthony Davis on joining Kobe in the Lakers' record books (via @Rachel__Nichols) pic.twitter.com/pCkXoL1fpz
— ESPN (@espn) August 4, 2020
Davis matched a few Kobe records on the evening, with the first being the most 20-point first-half outings in a Lakers uniform:
Anthony Davis scored 23 points in the 1st half tonight, the 20th time this season he scored 20+ in a half.
He's the first Lakers player with 20 such halves in a season since Kobe Bryant in 2012-13.
2nd half is coming up shortly on ESPN.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) August 4, 2020
Davis finished the contest with 42 points, which was his fifth this season.
Anthony Davis (5) has the most 40-point games by a Laker in a season since Kobe Bryant’s eight during 2012-‘13.
Davis’ three 40-point, 10-rebound games in a season are the most by a Laker since Bryant’s three during 2007-‘08.
— Clevis Murray (@ClevisMurray) August 4, 2020
Davis' final stat line was simply amazing: 42 points on 13-of-28 shooting, four 3-pointers, 12 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and a block.
For his part, LeBron James also had a great game for LA, logging 22 points (on 9-of-16 shooting), two triples, eight rebounds, nine assists, two steals, and a block. He combined with Davis to match yet another Kobe-related Lakers record.
Anthony Davis and LeBron James are the 1st pair of Lakers teammates to each record 20 30-point games in a season since Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant in 2002-03. pic.twitter.com/6J7iRkJ8Ux
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 31, 2020
Quite an evening for Davis, right? More importantly, the Lakers were able to clinch the first overall seed in the Western Conference with this victory tonight.
LA still has five more seeding games from here on out, and it would not be surprising if Davis, LeBron, and a few other guys on the Lakers side are given a few nights off. At this point, LA can now focus their full attention in preparing for what should be a grueling playoff run ahead.
