Here is what you need to know before the Lakers hit the road for the first time against the Dallas Mavericks.
1) AD’s already reached historic levels
Anthony Davis is wasting zero time showing Lakers fans what he can do, as evidenced by his merciless treatment of the Memphis Grizzlies in Sunday’s 40-point, 20-rebound masterpiece.
Not only did AD record the Lakers’ first 40/20 game in 16 years — he did it in only three quarters, sitting the entire fourth. With guard-like ball handling and big-man physicality, Davis constantly forced Memphis to foul him, and he made them pay at the charity stripe with a franchise-record 26 free throws and only one miss.
Davis — who has averaged 28.8 points, 12.8 boards and 3.0 blocks through four games — has been an absolute force on both ends of the floor.
2) Kuzma time?
After Lakers’ last 10 games (including preseason) plus training camp, it looks like Kyle Kuzma is ready to make his season debut.
Kuzma has been sidelined by a stress reaction in his left ankle that he suffered while playing for Team USA in the lead-up to the FIBA World Cup. Now he’ll look to improve on a sophomore season that saw him average 18.7 points — second-best on the team.
Coach Frank Vogel did say that Kuzma will be on a 15-20 minutes restriction when he returns, but it still should be a boost for a team that is among the early top-eight in both offensive and defensive rating.
3) It’s a new era in Dallas
The Mavericks, like their opponents, have started the season strong with a 3-1 record. And they’ve done it by following the leads of their young stars.
Reigning Rookie of the Year Luka Doncic has done it all so far, averaging 25.0 points, 8.8 rebounds and 6.8 assists. And now he has a running mate who fits his game perfectly, Kristaps Porzingis, who is off to a 22.3 points per game start after missing the previous 20 months due to a torn ACL.
But can these young Mavs eight years of LeBron James dominance? Since losing to the Mavericks in the 2011 NBA Finals, the King has reigned over Dallas with victories in 13 of his last 14 games against the franchise.
Injury Report
Lakers: Kyle Kuzma (stress reaction, left ankle) is probable. Rajon Rondo (sore right calf), Talen Horton-Tucker (stress reaction, right foot) and DeMarcus Cousins (rehabilitation, right knee) are out.
Mavericks: None.
Tip-Off: 6:30 p.m. PT
TV: Spectrum SportsNet locally, ESPN nationally
Radio: 710 ESPN and 1330 Tu Liga
Unis: Gold Icon
Location: American Airlines Center — Dallas, Texas