Reaves, Doncic Lead Lakers Past Mavericks as Davis Returns to Floor
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LOS ANGELES — Austin Reaves erupted for 38 points and Luka Doncic added 35 as the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Dallas Mavericks 129-119 on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena, spoiling Anthony Davis’ first game in nearly a month.
Davis, sidelined since Oct. 29 with a left calf strain, logged 28 minutes in his return. The 10-time All-Star finished with 12 points on 6-of-10 shooting, five rebounds, five assists and three blocks while facing frequent double-teams from his former club.
“They were double-teaming every time I caught the ball,” Davis said. “I was just trying to make the right play.”
The Lakers’ defensive plan, outlined pregame by coach JJ Redick, limited Dallas’ newest centerpiece while Reaves shouldered the scoring load. The third-year guard hit 12 of 15 shots and swapped jerseys with Davis afterward. “I’ve got a lot of love for AD,” Reaves said. “He’s a big reason I’m where I’m at today.”
Doncic, acquired in the Feb. 2 blockbuster that sent Davis to Dallas, continued his torrid pace with 35 points and 11 assists. He called meetings with the Mavericks “special,” though Los Angeles improved to 12-8 with the win.
Dallas dropped to 5-15 and will keep Davis out of Saturday’s game against the LA Clippers as a precaution. Injuries have limited him to 15 regular-season appearances and two play-in games since the trade, a stretch that preceded the recent dismissal of general manager Nico Harrison.
Davis said he believed he was ready weeks earlier, but the Mavericks delayed his return after director of health and performance Johann Bilsborough raised concerns and governor Patrick Dumont insisted on further medical data.
Source: ESPN
