In a commanding performance, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Toronto Raptors 123-103, with LeBron James achieving his second consecutive triple-double. Anthony Davis contributed significantly with 22 points but was forced to leave the game in the third quarter due to an eye injury sustained while blocking a dunk attempt from Jakob Poeltl.
The injury occurred with just over five minutes remaining in the third quarter when Davis was inadvertently hit in the face. After being evaluated, he was ruled out for the remainder of the game. Leading the league in scoring at the time of his departure, the nine-time All-Star’s absence is a concern for the Lakers moving forward.
LeBron James notched 19 points, a season-high 16 assists, and 10 rebounds, marking the third triple-double of his current season and the 115th of his illustrious 22-year career. Austin Reaves also had a standout game, scoring 27 points as the Lakers extended their home record to 5-0 and secured their second victory against Toronto in just over a week.
For the Raptors, Chris Boucher and RJ Barrett each scored 18 points. Toronto continues to struggle, having lost four consecutive games and eight out of their last nine.
Of significance is the Lakers’ ability to rebound after falling behind early in the game; they ended the third quarter on a 16-5 run following Davis’s injury, solidifying their lead with a pivotal three-pointer from rookie Dalton Knecht.
Statistically, the night highlighted that since turning 37 in December 2021, LeBron has recorded 13 triple-doubles, a notable accomplishment as only six other players in NBA history have achieved this after the age of 37, totaling just eight instances.
Looking ahead, the Lakers will host the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, while the Raptors will conclude their five-game road trip against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday.
In the face of Anthony Davis’s injury, there is hope that his recovery will be swift, allowing the Lakers to maintain momentum and continue their positive start to the season. With LeBron at the helm and the team showing resilience, there is every reason for Lakers fans to remain optimistic.