Anthony Davis, return of Talen Horton-Tucker helps Los Angeles Lakers recover from loss to Minnesota Timberwolves

LOS ANGELES – Anthony Davis “impose one’s will” and Talen Horton-Tucker reintroduced his skills as Lakers recover from a disappointing loss to beat San Antonio Spurs 114-106 on Sunday.

Davis scored 27 of his game-high 34 points in the first half, his most scoring percentage since December 2019, while also adding 15 rebounds and six assists. create. Horton-Tucker, who underwent surgery to repair a ligament in his right thumb in training camp, played for the first time this season and scored 17 points on a 7-in-14, section reward coach Frank Vogel for including him in the starting line-up.

The pair helped the Lakers react after they trailed 40-12 in the third quarter of Friday’s home loss to the average Minnesota Timberwolves.

“Anthony really imposes his will on this game,” Vogel said of Davis. “I think he was, perhaps more than anyone, unhappy with the way the final match went and he intended to impose his will.”

LA’s big star turns focus to Horton-Tucker, who along with Carmelo Anthony gave the Lakers a new starting lineup along with Davis, Russell Westbrook and Avery Bradley. Kent Bazemore and DeAndre Jordan, who has been a regular starter this season, neither of which played.

“Going out on his first game and doing what he did was futile,” Davis said of Horton-Tucker. “I was impressed. His first game and the fact that he went on the pitch and did what he did to help us win was huge and a sign of his hard work. A lot of the lads come back and get a little cranky, but he’s come on as he’s been playing with us the whole time.”

Horton-Tucker, who signed a three-year, $32 million extension with the Lakers during the off-season, had one of the game’s biggest hits when he scored on one finger with 2: 14 left in the fourth quarter to put LA ahead by four and give his team some breathing space after the Spurs cut the Lakers’ one-time 14-point lead to two.

Vogel will not commit to whether 20-year-old Horton-Tucker will continue in the starting XI but vows to continue to find game time for him.

“We’ll see,” Vogel said. “However, he will be an important part of what we do. We know that. We invested in him this summer for a reason. We have strong faith in him. That young man and what he can do on both sides. Obviously when we’re overall we have a lot of good options but he’s going to be a big part of that.”

Vogel said he hopes Horton-Tucker can defend the opposition’s best outfielder on a regular basis, and although he did have a steal and save and was withdrawn twice on Sunday , Horton-Tucker said his defense could improve.

“I feel like I could be a little bit better but I had some fun moments and I’m just happy for that,” he said. “It’s something I have to do this year so I’m just trying to get it done.”

After facing a series of injuries early in the season, the Lakers have begun to receive some good news in terms of health. In addition to Horton-Tucker’s debut, Wayne Ellington (15 points) scored double digits for the second time in the past three games after missing the first eight games of the season through a hamstring injury, and LeBron James, who has spent the past six games with abs tight, seems to be coming back.

“Soon,” a source close to James told ESPN when asked about James’ return schedule.

Sources say James is “making tremendous progress” in his training on the field. However, Vogel said the 19-year-old veteran has yet to participate in full training or participate in contact maneuvers.

organized by LA Chicago Bulls in the second leg of a return Monday and then set off for a five-game trip through Milwaukee, Boston, Detroit, New York and Indiana.

“Every day, that’s all I can tell you,” said Westbrook, who finished with 14 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and seven transfers, when asked if the Lakers might be available. ready to finally run together or not. “We hope so, but just have to wait one day at a time, slowly getting the boys back and getting on with each other.”