36 Points, 15 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 3 Blocks: Has Anthony Davis' Year Finally Arrived?

In a thrilling season opener, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-103, snapping their seven-game losing streak in opening games. While the Timberwolves had the stronger record last season, making it all the way to the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers were only a first-round team. This time, though, Anthony Davis took matters into his own hands, leading his team to a statement win. It wasn’t just a victory, but a commanding one where the Lakers led for the majority of the game, with only a brief period in the second quarter when the Timberwolves managed to gain a lead.

The Lakers’ poor shooting from beyond the arc, hitting just 5-of-30 for a dismal 16.7%, made the win even more surprising. The Timberwolves, while not lights-out themselves, connected on 13-of-41 from three-point range, significantly better than the Lakers. They also had more free throw attempts (27-25). Yet, Davis was the ultimate difference-maker, with a performance that transcended the box score.

Playing 38 minutes, Davis finished with 36 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and a steal, doing so on 11-of-23 shooting from the field, including 1-of-3 from deep and 13-of-15 from the free-throw line. Davis took over in the second half, particularly in the third and fourth quarters, where his all-around dominance on both ends of the floor turned the game decisively in favor of the Lakers.

In the third quarter, Davis played all 12 minutes, scoring 13 points on 4-of-10 shooting while grabbing 5 rebounds. When it came to crunch time in the fourth, Davis was perfect, making all three of his shots and scoring 11 points, along with 4 more rebounds. He sealed the game in the final two minutes by blocking a shot from Donte DiVincenzo, leading to a Lakers fast break where D’Angelo Russell drained a crucial three-pointer. Moments later, Davis drew a foul on Rudy Gobert and made both free throws, pushing the lead to 12 points and effectively ending any hopes of a Timberwolves comeback.

Davis’ performance was a reminder of just how dominant he can be when fully healthy and engaged. He outdueled Gobert, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year, by controlling the paint offensively and defensively. Whether it was scoring in the post or protecting the rim, Davis made a statement. He even traded mid-range jumpers with Anthony Edwards at times, a sign of his versatility and confidence.

The Preseason Hints of a Davis Breakout

Davis’ breakout in the season opener wasn’t completely out of the blue. His strong form was already on display during the preseason. In the six preseason games the Lakers played, Davis appeared in four, averaging 21.8 points, 9.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 1 steal in just 25.5 minutes per game. He also shot an impressive 54.5% from the field. Against the Golden State Warriors, Davis logged 26 minutes and posted 24 points and 12 rebounds. In another standout performance against the Phoenix Suns, he played 34 minutes and erupted for 35 points and 10 rebounds on 14-of-28 shooting, including 4-of-9 from three-point range.

These performances provided a glimpse of what might be to come, and Davis has delivered so far. Fans who remember his superstar-level play in the 2020 NBA bubble, when he led the Lakers to a championship with a nearly flawless postseason run, couldn’t help but wonder if they were witnessing the resurgence of “Bubble AD.” Back then, Davis was an offensive and defensive juggernaut, draining mid-range jumpers, knocking down threes, and anchoring the Lakers' defense to perfection.

However, since winning the title, Davis has struggled with injuries and inconsistent play. His jump shot, once a major weapon, seemed to abandon him, as did his three-point range. During the 2022-23 season, Davis’ inside finishing remained elite, shooting an incredible 71.9% on attempts within five feet of the basket (645 attempts, 464 makes). But his mid-range game fell off a cliff, shooting just 40.6% on attempts outside of 10 feet (308 attempts, 125 makes). Davis’ three-point shooting was abysmal, as he made only 27.1% of his threes (29-for-107).

For comparison, during the 2020 playoffs, Davis shot 47.7% on mid-range jumpers (62-for-130) and a respectable 38.3% from three (23-for-60). Those playoffs set the bar for what fans and analysts expected from Davis moving forward. There was hope that he would contend for MVP and Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) honors annually, but injuries and inconsistency prevented him from realizing that potential.

In the years since, with younger stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Dončić, Nikola Jokić, and Joel Embiid rising to prominence, it felt like Davis had fallen out of the conversation when it came to naming the top five players in the league. He was still regarded as a superstar, but not one in that upper echelon.

A New Coach, A New System

This season, Davis might be poised for a return to form, and much of that optimism stems from new head coach JJ Redick. When Redick was first hired, the decision raised eyebrows. Redick had no prior head coaching experience—not even as an assistant—but so far, he has proven doubters wrong. During the preseason, Redick displayed a clear vision for how the Lakers should play and demonstrated a willingness to make bold adjustments.

His approach in the season opener was a perfect example of his decisive coaching style. Redick used a tight nine-man rotation, a far cry from the more fluid rotations favored by former head coach Darvin Ham. Redick maximized Davis’ impact, as the offense ran through him on nearly every possession. Perhaps more importantly, Redick has revived Davis’ confidence in his jump shot, giving him the green light to take mid-range shots and stretch the floor with the occasional three-pointer.

On top of his tactical adjustments, Redick made history by putting LeBron James and his son, Bronny, on the court together for the first time in an official game. While Bronny didn’t play significant minutes in the season opener, the moment marked a milestone in NBA history and a unique chapter in the James family legacy.

The Year of Anthony Davis?

While it might be early in the season, Davis' combination of health, preseason form, and his dominance in the opener has fans hoping that this could be the year he returns to MVP and DPOY consideration. It has been three long years since Davis’ peak performance in the bubble, and the road since has been rocky. But under Redick’s leadership, Davis appears to be in an environment where he can thrive again.

The key for Davis, as always, will be staying healthy. His talent has never been in question; it’s his durability that has been his Achilles’ heel. If he can avoid the injuries that have plagued him in recent years, Davis has a real shot at re-establishing himself as one of the top five players in the NBA. His performance in the opener is just the first step in what could be a return to his best form.

While some may temper their expectations, the signs are there. Davis’ dominant preseason, his incredible opening-night performance, and Redick’s clear understanding of how to utilize his star player all point to a potential resurgence. It’s been a long time coming, but this might finally be the year that Davis reminds everyone why he was once considered an MVP and DPOY frontrunner.

So, is this the year of Anthony Davis? Based on what we’ve seen so far, it just might be. Fans and analysts alike have waited for this moment, and if Davis can sustain this level of play, the rest of the league should be on notice.