LeBron, Lakers rout Raptors despite Anthony Davis injury

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) grabs a rebound next to Toronto Raptors center Jakob Poeltl (19) during the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

LOS ANGELES — LeBron James recorded his second straight triple-double, and Anthony Davis scored 22 points before leaving with an eye injury in the third quarter of the Los Angeles Lakers ‘ 123-103 victory over the Toronto Raptors on Sunday night.

Davis was hit in the face by Jakob Poeltl’s off hand while he blocked the Toronto center’s dunk attempt with 5:16 left in the third quarter. The nine-time All-Star, who began the night leading the NBA in scoring, was ruled out after he went to the locker room.

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James had 19 points, a season-high 16 assists and 10 rebounds in his third triple-double already this season and the 115th of his matchless 22-year career.

READ: NBA: Lakers’ Anthony Davis exits Raptors game with eye injury

A season-high 16 AST for @KingJames 👑

Part of his 3rd triple-double of the year (19 PTS / 10 REB) and the @Lakers 6th win! pic.twitter.com/szULeLaWMh

— NBA (@NBA) November 11, 2024

Austin Reaves scored 27 points for the Lakers, who improved to 5-0 at home. Los Angeles also beat Toronto for the second time in nine days.

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Chris Boucher and RJ Barrett scored 18 points apiece for the Raptors, who have lost four straight and eight of nine.

Bronny James played the final 1:40.

Takeaways

Raptors: Immanuel Quickley scored 12 points and played back-to-back games in LA after missing eight straight with a pelvic bruise. Poeltl had 14 points and 10 rebounds while playing well against Davis on both ends.

Lakers: At 6-4, they have a winning record through 10 games for the first time in four seasons, but Davis’ latest injury endangers everything.

READ: NBA: LeBron’s 114th triple-double gets Lakers back on track

Key moment

After trailing by double digits early, the Lakers finished the third quarter on a 16-5 run right after Davis’ injury before roaring away. LA took the lead for good on rookie Dalton Knecht’s 3-pointer.

Key stat

James has 13 triple-doubles since he turned 37 in December 2021. Only six other players in NBA history accomplished the feat after their 37th birthdays, doing it a combined eight times.

Up next

The Lakers host Memphis on Wednesday. The Raptors end their five-game trip in Milwaukee on Tuesday.