23 Shots for 36 Points! Has Anthony Davis Finally Taken Over the Lakers Leadership from LeBron?

In what can only be described as a historic night for the Los Angeles Lakers, the opening game of the 2024-2025 NBA season brought a number of key milestones and intriguing storylines. From the debut of LeBron James and his son Bronny on the court together, to Anthony Davis’ monster performance, the Lakers’ 110-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves signaled a potential shift in the franchise’s hierarchy.

While all eyes were initially on LeBron and Bronny making history as the first father-son duo to share the court in the NBA, it was Anthony Davis who stole the show. Davis poured in 36 points on 23 field goal attempts, adding 16 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 blocks in 38 minutes of play. It was a statement game, not just because of his impressive stat line, but because it felt like a symbolic moment where Davis took the torch from LeBron and firmly established himself as the leader of the Lakers.

The night started with the anticipation of LeBron and Bronny finally playing together. With four minutes left in the second quarter, the James duo checked into the game, completing the NBA’s last major milestone that the other American sports leagues—NFL, MLB, and NHL—had already achieved. While Bronny’s contribution was minimal, logging just under three minutes of playing time and going 0-for-2 from the field, the moment was historic.

However, there was also a bit of a comedic moment during one possession when Bronny, with only a few seconds left on the shot clock, passed the ball to his father, putting LeBron in an awkward position to take a contested, deep two-point shot. LeBron missed, and the Timberwolves quickly recovered the rebound. Despite the rare father-son dynamic, the night truly belonged to Davis, whose all-around brilliance overshadowed the father-son pairing on this particular occasion.

New-Look Timberwolves No Match for Lakers

The Timberwolves, fresh off a Western Conference Finals appearance last season, were expected to provide a tough challenge for the Lakers. However, Minnesota’s off-season reshuffling raised some eyebrows, particularly with the trade of star forward Karl-Anthony Towns, who was replaced in the lineup by Julius Randle. Without Towns, the Timberwolves struggled to establish an offensive rhythm, especially after a strong first quarter where they led 23-22.

In the second quarter, the Lakers exploded for 33 points, while holding Minnesota to just 19. That 13-point halftime lead proved to be too much for the Timberwolves to overcome, even with their best efforts in the second half. The Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards with 27 points, kept the game close, but never managed to put together the kind of sustained run they needed to regain control.

Edwards, who had no choice but to shoulder most of the scoring load, had some impressive moments, but his supporting cast didn’t offer much help. Randle, in his Timberwolves debut, contributed 16 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, but it was clear that the chemistry was lacking. The loss of Towns seemed to weigh heavily on the team, as they struggled to adapt to their new-look lineup.

In contrast, the Lakers looked poised and composed. The starting lineup of D'Angelo Russell, Austin Reaves, LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, and Davis provided a well-balanced attack. While Davis was undoubtedly the star of the show, Russell had a solid night as well, hitting crucial shots, including a late-game three-pointer that extended the Lakers' lead. LeBron, meanwhile, had a more subdued game by his standards, finishing with 16 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists. But the narrative coming out of this game was clear: the Lakers are now Anthony Davis’ team.

Has the Torch Been Passed?

There’s been a growing sense over the past few seasons that LeBron’s reign as the unquestioned leader of the Lakers might be coming to an end. As LeBron enters his 22nd NBA season at age 39, the physical toll of the game has become more apparent. While LeBron still displays flashes of brilliance, particularly during the playoffs, there’s been a notable shift in how the Lakers operate on the court. Davis, who was once seen as a secondary option, is now taking on a much larger role offensively and defensively.

This transition was expected to happen sooner, especially after the Lakers’ 2020 championship run in the NBA bubble, where Davis was arguably the team’s best player throughout the playoffs. However, injuries and inconsistency have prevented Davis from fully seizing the reins. Now, after an impressive preseason and a dominant performance in the opener, it appears that Davis is finally ready to lead the Lakers on a nightly basis.

The key to this shift may lie in the Lakers’ new head coach, JJ Redick. In his first official game as an NBA head coach, Redick not only guided the Lakers to a season-opening victory, but he also set the tone for the season by maximizing Davis’ potential. Known for his deep understanding of the game from his years as a sharpshooter and analyst, Redick brought a fresh perspective to the Lakers’ offense, running much of it through Davis and allowing him to dominate in ways we haven’t consistently seen in recent years.

The results were clear: Davis was aggressive from the opening tip, controlling the paint against Rudy Gobert, one of the league’s best defensive big men. Whether it was scoring at the rim, protecting the basket, or spacing the floor with occasional mid-range jumpers, Davis was involved in nearly every meaningful Lakers possession. His ability to score from all areas of the floor made the Timberwolves defense look helpless at times, and Redick’s rotations ensured that Davis was always in a position to succeed.

LeBron’s Role Moving Forward

While LeBron may not have had a standout game statistically, his leadership and influence on the team remain invaluable. What was most evident during the Lakers’ win was how comfortable LeBron seemed in deferring to Davis, something that hasn’t always been the case in previous seasons. As Davis continues to evolve into the team’s primary option, LeBron appears content to take on a slightly reduced role, allowing the younger star to shoulder the offensive and defensive load.

It’s worth noting that LeBron also reached a personal milestone during the game, surpassing Kobe Bryant’s all-time record for most missed shots in NBA history (14,481). While this record might not seem like a cause for celebration, it speaks to LeBron’s incredible longevity and sustained dominance in the league. Few players in NBA history have taken as many shots as LeBron, and even fewer have had the level of success he’s enjoyed throughout his career.

LeBron’s legacy is already cemented as one of the greatest players of all time, and while his individual achievements will continue to accumulate, his role on this Lakers team may evolve into more of a facilitator and leader than a primary scorer. If the Lakers are to compete for another championship, they will need Davis to stay healthy and continue performing at the level he did in the season opener.

Timberwolves Face Questions After Offseason Moves

As for the Timberwolves, their offseason decision to trade Towns and reshuffle their core will likely come under increased scrutiny after this loss. While they still have a promising young star in Edwards and solid contributors like Randle and Gobert, the team seemed out of sync. Edwards was often left on an island offensively, and the lack of interior presence that Towns once provided was glaring.

Minnesota’s decision to extend Gobert on a three-year, $110 million deal also raised questions, especially after he opted to decline a $46.6 million player option for the 2025-26 season to give the team more financial flexibility. But without Towns, the Timberwolves will need Gobert to be more than just a defensive anchor if they hope to return to the Western Conference Finals.

The opening game of the 2024-2025 season may not provide all the answers, but for the Lakers, it confirmed one thing: Anthony Davis is ready to lead. After years of waiting for him to take the next step, it seems the Lakers’ new alpha has finally arrived.