The Los Angeles Lakers recorded their sixth win of the 2024-2025 season on Sunday with a decisive 123-103 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

Despite trailing for much of the first half, the Lakers turned things around with a dominant performance in the second half, especially in the third quarter. By the final buzzer they had won comfortably, with strong play on both ends of the floor.

Here are three key takeaways from their victory:

1. Anthony Davis’ injury status

Lakers superstar Anthony Davis left the game in the third quarter after an impressive block on Raptors center Jakob Poeltl that ended with a poke in the eye. ESPN NBA insider Dave McMenamin reported after the game that Davis experienced noticeable swelling around the eye, making it difficult for him to keep it open. As a precaution, Davis will see an ophthalmologist on Monday for a full evaluation. Fortunately, the Lakers are hopeful he will be ready for Wednesday’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. Davis had already made a strong impact before he left, with 22 points, four rebounds, three assists, a steal and a block. His presence on both ends of the court will be crucial if the Lakers want to build momentum early in the season.

2. The impact and timeless versatility of LeBron James

When Davis left the game, LeBron James made a big move. The experienced striker turned up the intensity and took over. He finished with his 115th career triple-double (and his third this season), recording 19 points, 16 assists and 10 rebounds in 35 minutes. At almost 40 years old, James still has the ability to take control and influence the game in every aspect. He was seemingly everywhere on the court after Davis’ departure, orchestrating the offense, crashing the boards and playing aggressive defense. His ability to ‘flip the switch’ when necessary is a testament to his talent, leadership and dedication to winning. LeBron’s all-around performance underscored how important he still is to this Lakers team, showing that age hasn’t diminished his role as one of the NBA’s most influential players.

3. Lakers strong start at home

With this win, the Lakers improved to a perfect 5-0 record at home. Taking care of business for their fans at Crypto.com Arena has become a point of pride for this team. Their early home success could prove invaluable later in the season as they battle for play-off placement. Winning games on home turf, especially with the support of their enthusiastic fan base, is crucial to building team confidence and momentum. The Lakers will look to extend this home streak to 6-0 when they face the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

The Lakers’ win over the Raptors showed their resilience, depth and the reliability of their stars, even in challenging moments. As they move into the season, keeping Davis healthy and maintaining their home field advantage will be crucial as they look to rise in the Western Conference standings.

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