Anthony Davis scored 40 points — including a franchise record 26 made free throws — and had 20 rebounds to help the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 120-91 on Tuesday night.
It's the fourth 40-20 game of Davis' career and his first since 2016. The last Lakers player to accomplish it was Shaquille O'Neal in 2003.
Not a bad night for someone whose status was questionable two hours before the game due to a right shoulder injury suffered in Sunday's win over Charlotte. Lakers coach Frank Vogel said 90 minutes before tipoff that he wasn't sure of Davis' status. But the seventh-year forward did some shooting drills and was in the starting lineup.
LeBron James added 23 points for the Lakers, who are off to their first 3-1 start since winning their first eight in 2010.
The Grizzlies (1-3) led 65-59 with seven minutes remaining in the third quarter when the Lakers went on a 27-2 run to close out the quarter. Davis scored 16 during the rally, with all but two of the points coming at the line. The final 10 Lakers' points in the quarter came via Davis free throws.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 16 points while Jonas Valanciunas added 14 points and 11 boards.
Memphis raced out to a 15-2 lead before Los Angeles started to slowly work its way back. Davis gave the Lakers a 49-47 lead at halftime when he grabbed the rebound, drove down the court and tipped In his own miss at the buzzer.
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TIP-INS
Grizzlies: Grayson Allen came off the bench to score 13. ... Dillon Brooks' four-point play early in the first quarter was the third of his career. That ties him with Shane Battier and Troy Daniels for second in franchise history behind Mike Conley's seven.
Lakers: Avery Bradley had 12 points and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 11, with all but one coming in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
Grizzlies: Host the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night to start a three-game homestand.
Lakers: Begin a three-game road trip against the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.
