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Dominant Anthony Davis helps Lakers erase 22-point deficit and beat Suns
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Dominant Anthony Davis helps Lakers erase 22-point deficit and beat Suns

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James, left, dribbles against Phoenix Suns forward Royce O'Neale, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the in Los Angeles, Friday, Oct. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer)

Lakers forward LeBron James will face Suns forward Royce O’Neale in the first half on Friday. (Eric Thayer/Associated Press)

Fans were roaring with excitement in the third quarter on Friday, as if they had just seen LeBron James ram the ball through the basket with trembling force, or Anthony Davis deny a dunk attempt by the Phoenix Suns.

Neither actually happened.

The multitaskers in the building just watched as Freddie Freeman’s perfect left-handed swing sent a baseball over the wall of Dodger Stadium, as the walk-off of the World Series Game 1 made the Crypto.com Arena as loud as it was the entire night had been.

Then it was the Lakers’ turn to stoke that excitement.

As in the season opener, Davis played like the best player on the field as the fans chanted “MVP” for him in the fourth quarter as if he had just taken Nestor Cortes of the New York Yankees deep. Davis dominated the Suns, beating Kevin Durant and Devin Booker and helping his Lakers come back from 22 points down in a 123-116 win.

It is the first time since the 2010-2011 season that the Lakers have opened the season with consecutive wins. Davis scored 36 points after scoring 35 points in the opener against the Minnesota Timberwolves, back-to-back dominant games against two of the Western Conference favorites.

Unlike the opener, the Lakers gave Davis air support from outside, making 14 of 27 shots from three-point range, including 13 for 22 after the first quarter. They withstood the Suns’ hot shooting early and began their climb back into the game late in the second.

Davis’ blocked shot just before halftime gave the Lakers momentum in the third quarter as James and Reaves got hot from deep and opened the inside for Davis.

James helped close the game late with two assists – one to Gabe Vincent for a layup and one to Rui Hachimura for a three – to get the crowd pumping again.

The Lakers host the Sacramento Kings on Saturday night.

Unlike the Dodgers, three more wins won’t get the job done. But as far as beginnings go, it’s hard to ask for more.

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.