Skip to main content

BBNBA: Anthony Davis and Jamal Murray shine in Western Conference battle

Screenshot 2023-11-10 at 1.25.30 PMby:Phoenix Stevens02/09/24

PStevensKSR

bbnba-anthony-davis-jamal-murray-shine-western-conference-battle
Photo by Jason Parkhurst | USA TODAY Sports

Thursday marked a very big and monumental night in Los Angeles.

Fittingly, on 2/8/24, the Los Angeles Lakers would unveil a statue of 5x NBA Champion Kobe Bryant outside of Crypto.com Arena. The statue resembles the late Bryant walking off the court after his legendary 81-point game back in 2006. Additionally, Bryant is the seventh person to have a statue erected in his honor outside of the historic arena. Longtime Lakers announcer Chick Hearn also has a statue in his honor.

Why 2/8/24? Bryant wore both the No. 8 and the No. 24 on his jersey during his 20-year career with the Lakers. His daughter, Gianna, whose life was also lost during the tragic helicopter crash in 2020, wore No. 2.

Top 10

  1. 1

    Lincoln Riley

    UCF looking at USC coach

    New
  2. 2

    Oregon flips 5-star QB

    Cal pledge commits to Ducks

  3. 3

    Ryan Day on future

    Ohio State HC gives blunt answer

  4. 4

    Lane Kiffin scorched earth

    CFP committee, Miami in crosshairs

  5. 5

    National Signing Day Show

    Live updates and news on nation's top recruits

    Live
View All

Of course, there was still a game to be played following the pregame festivities. Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets would spoil what was an emotional night for the Lakers as the former ‘Cat would put up a team-high 29 points while shooting 5-9 (55.6%) from deep and recording 11 assists. Murray’s third-straight game with a double-double now has the Nuggets tied for first place in the Western Conference.

Then, despite the loss, Anthony Davis looked like the Wooden Award winner he once was back during his time at Kentucky. Davis would score 32 points, grab nine rebounds, and swat away four shots on the night. The Lakers big man would shoot an efficient 14-27 (51.9%) from the field as well, even though he was matched up against 2x NBA MVP Nikola Jokic for the majority of the night.

Other BBNBA Notes:

  • Behind Karl-Anthony Towns‘ 19 points and five rebounds, the T-Wolves were able to beat the Milwaukee Bucks, making sure they still hold a share of the top seed in the West.
  • The San Antonio Spurs fell to 10-42 as Keldon Johnson scored 12 points in a 127-111 loss to the Orlando Magic. However, an Orlando victory means we get to play the song.
  • In his NBA debut with the Trail Blazers, Ashton Hagans scored four points and dished out three assists in 28 minutes of play.
  • Lastly, in just 11 minutes of play, Isaiah Jackson would score four points while grabbing three rebounds in the Pacers’ loss to the Golden State Warriors at home.
  • The trade deadline came and went on Thursday afternoon. Only two former ‘Cats were moved ahead of the cutoff. Kevin Knox was traded from the Pistons to the Jazz on Wednesday while PJ Washington was traded from the Hornets to the Mavericks just hours before the deadline.

2/8/24 Statistics:

PlayerScorePTSFG (3PT)REBASTSTLBLKTO+/-MIN
Anthony Davis (LAL)114-106 L vs DEN3214-27 (0-3)93341-1138
Jamal Murray (DEN)114-106 W @ LAL2912-15 (5-9)7112031736
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)129-105 W @ MIL197-15 (4-6)510012130
Keldon Johnson (SAS)127-111 L @ ORL125-12 (2-7)41001524
Ashton Hagans (POR)128-122 L vs DET42-7 (0-3)23002-2828
Isaiah Jackson (IND)131-109 L vs GSW41-2 (0-0)32100-1211
Julius Randle (NYK)122-108 L vs DALDNP: Shoulder
TyTy Washington Jr. (MIL)129-105 L vs MINDNP: G-League
Chris Livingston (MIL)129-105 L vs MINDNP: G-League
Devin Booker (PHX)129-115 W vs UTADNP: Hip
Shaedon Sharpe (POR)128-122 L vs DETDNP: Core
Jarred Vanderbilt (LAL)114-106 L vs DENDNP: Foot

Tonight in the NBA:

  • 7:00 EST (NBA TV) | Hawks @ 76ers (Maxey)
  • 7:30 EST | Rockets @ Raptors (Quickley)
  • 7:30 EST | Wizards @ Celtics
  • 8:00 EST | Hornets (Richards) @ Bucks (Washington Jr.: 2Way, Livingston: 2Way)
  • 10:00 EST | Nuggets (Murray) @ Kings (Lyles, Monk, Fox)
  • 10:30 EST (NBA TV) | Pelicans @ Lakers (Vanderbilt, Davis)

Discuss This Article

Comments have moved.

Join the conversation and talk about this article and all things Kentucky Sports in the new KSR Message Board.

KSBoard

2024-12-04