Anthony Davis joked that he felt “20 percent” his old self after posting a record number of points this season to lead the Los Angeles Lakers to victory over the high flying Phoenix Suns.
Davis has played his 10th game since recovering from an Achilles and calf injury that left him out of play for more than two months.
He had 42 points and 12 rebounds, as well as five assists, three steals and three blocks when the Lakers beat their 123-110 Western Conference rivals in Los Angeles on Sunday.
This is the seventh time in Davis’s career that he has 40 points, three blocks and three interceptions in a game. The only player who has had more of these games in the last 35 years is the great Michael Jordan (14).
The Lakers are now in a sixth-seed game in the West, guaranteeing a post-season spot, and Davis feels he is slowly returning to his best condition.
“I’m 20 percent myself!” Said the 28-year-old. “I’m kidding. I feel good. I get my legs and my rhythm back, I get my steps back on both ends of the floor.”
“I feel good. With every game I get better, with every game my spirit is restored.
“My legs are not that heavy during games. In all the shots I take, I do not use all of my legs. My legs feel good again – this is important.”
The Lakers were out of LeBron James against the Suns for their fourth straight game with a nasty ankle injury.
Head coach Frank Vogel will not rush the four-time NBA champion to return for the remainder of the regular season, and a decision will be made before each remaining game.
“Our position does not affect LeBron’s chart,” Vogel said. “Bron will try to get in there as deep as possible to get a rhythm without disturbing his ankle.
“I don’t think the way Anthony plays or what our seeding situation looks like will change LeBron’s schedule.”
But Davis expects James to be fit and ready for the postseason, whether he plays before or not.
“What I saw today from LeBron, he’ll be fine,” Davis said. – Believe me. He will be all right. “
