BBNBA: Anthony Davis' 62nd double-double of season leads to 4th straight Lakers win

The Los Angeles Lakers are in a serious groove right now, and Anthony Davis is the primary reason why.

On Saturday night, Davis recorded his 62nd double-double of the season, finishing with 22 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, three steals, and six blocks with zero turnovers in 36 minutes of action. He shot 7-11 from the field overall and made his only three-point attempt. His efforts were more than enough to lead the Lakers past the Cleveland Cavaliers, 116-97, in Los Angeles.

With the win, the Lake Show sits on a record of 45-33 this season, slotting them just a half-game back of the New Orleans Pelicans for the top Play-In spot and just 1.5 games behind the Phoenix Suns for the final Playoff spot. Los Angeles has now won four straight and nine of its last 10. Davis played in nine of those games (8-1) where he averaged 26.8 points, 16.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.4 blocks, and 1.2 steals in 37.5 minutes per contest.

Davis has played in 73 games this season, his most since the 2017-18 season when he appeared in 75 games. His 62 double-doubles rank third in the entire NBA behind only Domantas Sabonis (73) and Nikola Jokic (64). Davis is a lock to make an All-NBA team this season.

Jamal Murray’s return from injury

After sitting out the previous seven games due to a sprained right knee, Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray made his awaited return on Saturday in a dominating 142-110 win over the Atlanta Hawks. He finished with 16 points, three rebounds, and six assists on 6-11 overall shooting, including a 2-4 mark from long range.

Luckily, due to the blowout victory, Murray didn’t have to overexert himself, playing only 21 minutes while sitting out the entire fourth quarter. Denver went just 4-3 without its lead guard but remains atop the Western Conference standings with a 53-24 overall record. With just five games left on their regular season schedule and a healthy Murray back in the rotation, the defending champion Nuggets are poised to enter the postseason with homecourt advantage.

And oh, it was also Jamal Murray Bobblehead night in Denver.

😭😭😭 welcome to Jamal Murray bobblehead night pic.twitter.com/EFAJSTB1cD

— Katy Winge (@katywinge) April 6, 2024

Other BBNBA notes

• Despite dealing with left hip tightness, Tyrese Maxey suited up for the Philadelphia 76ers last night in a 116-96 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The All-Star guard played just 25 minutes for Philly, registering seven points and five assists on 2-6 shooting.
• Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt has played only 29 games this season as he continues to recover from a foot injury. An update from ESPN on Friday noted that the 6-foot-9 forward has not been cleared for contact drills. The expectation has been a mid-April return to action for Vando, but he still appears to be a ways away from actually getting back on the court.

BBNBA stats 4/6/24

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	P/M	MIN
Anthony Davis (LAL)	116-97 W vs. CLE	22	7-11 (1-1)	13	4	3	6	0	8	36
Jamal Murray (DEN)	142-110 W vs. ATL	16	6-11 (2-4)	3	6	0	1	3	14	21
Tyrese Maxey (PHI)	116-96 W @ MEM	7	2-6 (1-4)	1	5	0	0	0	8	25
Jarred Vanderbilt (LAL)	116-97 W vs. CLE	DNP-Foot	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Today in the NBA

• 3:30 | Cavaliers @ Clippers (Boston)
• 3:30 (NBA TV) | Rockets @ Mavericks (PJ Washington)
• 5:00 | Heat (Adebayo, Herro) @ Pacers (Jackson, Tshiebwe: 2Way)
• 6:00 | Pelicans @ Suns (Booker)
• 6:00 | Wizards @ Raptors
• 6:00 | Bulls @ Magic
• 6:00 | Thunder (Gilgeous-Alexander: out, Sarr: 2Way, Wallace) @ Hornets (Richards: questionable)
• 6:00 | Trail Blazers (Sharpe: out) @ Celtics
• 7:00 | 76ers (Maxey) @ Spurs (Johnson: probable)
• 7:00 (NBA TV) | Knicks (Randle) @ Bucks (Livingston: 2Way, TyTy Washington: 2Way)
• 7:30 | Kings (Fox, Monk: out, Lyles) @ Nets
• 8:30 | Jazz (Juzang: 2Way) @ Warriors
• 10:00 (NBA TV) | Timberwolves (Towns: out) @ Lakers (Davis, Vanderbilt: out)