"SABONIS HAS BEEN DEFEATED" - Lakers fans go berserk as Anthony Davis and Co. finally top Sacramento Kings
Anthony Davis and the LA Lakers topped the Sacramento Kings 131-127 to improve to 3-0 on the young season. Prior to Saturday night, the Lakers had lost five straight against the Kings, with their last win dating back to Jan. 7, 2023.
With the win, Anthony Davis handed Domantas Sabonis his first loss in their head-to-head series. Sabonis had beaten Davis in their 10 previous matchups.
The Lithuanian still tallied 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, but his Kings fell short as Davis and LeBron James both reached the 30-point mark. Lakers fans on X (formerly Twitter) were hyped up as their big man finally bested Sabonis.
"SABONIS HAS BEEN DEFEATED," one Lakers fan posted excitedly.
"Anthony Davis beat Sabonis for the first time in his NBA career," another fan posted with a video of Patrick Beverley throwing his jersey into the crowd.
"ANTHONY DAVIS FINALLY BEAT SABONIS," another fan posted with a video of LeBron James celebrating his Game 7 win against Golden State in 2016.
Fans were also excited for Los Angeles' first 3-0 start since the 2010-11 season.
"LAKERS ON TOP," a fan exclaimed.
"So beautiful, I might cry," another fan added.
"We're back!" a third fan chimed in.
Anthony Davis, LeBron James shine in Lakers win
LeBron James notched his 113th career triple-double on Saturday. He finished with 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists — all season-highs — on 12-for-22 shooting, connecting on four of his nine 3-point attempts.
Davis has recorded 30-point performances in each of the Lakers' first three games of the season. Davis notched 31 points, nine rebounds, three steals, two blocks and two assists on 10-for-15 shooting against the Kings.
The Lakers star duo received backing from the other three starters, all of whom contributed 16 or more points. D'Angelo Russell and Austin Reaves each tallied 16 points, while Rui Hachimura had 18 points.
The Lakers, off to their best start in more than a decade, have seen their offense significantly improve in their first season under first-year coach JJ Redick. They have the best record in the Western Conference as of Saturday.