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Dominant Anthony Davis helps the Lakers erase their 22-point deficit and defeat the Suns

Dominant Anthony Davis helps the Lakers erase their 22-point deficit and defeat the 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 takes on Suns forward Royce O'Neale in the first half on Friday. (Eric Thayer/Associated Press)

During the third quarter on Friday, fans stood and roared with excitement as if they had just seen LeBron James drive the ball through the basket with concussive force or Anthony Davis deflect a Phoenix Suns dunk attempt.

Neither actually happened.

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

Then it was the Lakers' turn to spark that excitement.

As he did in the season opener, Davis played like the best player on the field, and fans chanted “MVP” for him in the fourth quarter as if he had just tackled the New York Yankees' Nestor Cortes. Davis dominated the Suns, outpacing Kevin Durant and Devin Booker and helping his Lakers come from 22 points behind to a 123-116 victory.

It is the first time since the 2010-11 season that the Lakers have opened the season with consecutive wins. Davis scored 36 points after scoring 35 points in the opening game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, back-to-back dominant games against two of the Western Conference favorites.

Unlike the opener, the Lakers supported Davis from outside in the air, making 14 of 27 shots from three-point range, including 13 for 22 after the first quarter. They withstood the Suns' heavy shooting early and began to get back into the game late in the second half.

Davis' blocked shot just before halftime gave the Lakers momentum heading into the third quarter as James and Reaves got hot from deep and opened up the interior for Davis.

James helped seal the game late with two assists — one to Gabe Vincent for a layup and one to Rui Hachimura for a three-pointer — to get the crowd popping again.

The Lakers host the Sacramento Kings on Saturday evening.

Unlike the Dodgers, three more wins aren't enough. But when it comes to getting started, you can hardly ask for more.

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This story originally appeared in the Los Angeles Times.

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