Anthony Davis wasted no time making his mark in a Wizards uniform, and by halftime Monday night in Detroit, he had already carved out a place in Washington franchise history.
In the Washington Wizards’ road game against the Pistons, Davis poured in 30 points in the opening 24 minutes of regulation, putting himself alongside Michael Jordan and Bradley Beal on a short list of Wizards to do it. NBA insider Marc Stein noted, “Washington says that Anthony Davis has joined the following short list of Wizards to record a 30-point half since 1996-97: Bradley Beal, John Wall, Gilbert Arenas and Michael Jordan,”
Davis has been in the NBA since 2012 and is in his first season with Washington after a brief stop with the Dallas Mavericks. The Wizards brought him in as he tries to get back on track health-wise while still producing at the level that has made him one of the league’s top big men.
His big night wasn’t enough to carry Washington to a win, though. Detroit pulled away for a 122-111 victory after the Wizards stayed close early. Washington held a 32-31 edge after the first quarter, but the Pistons flipped the game with a 72-55 run across the second and third periods.
Davis finished with 44 points, 13 rebounds, one assist and one steal, leading Washington in scoring. He shot 16-of-21 from the field, hit 2-of-4 from deep and went 10-of-11 at the line. AJ Dybantsa added 21 points and eight rebounds, Trae Young scored 20 points with seven assists, and Kyshawn George chipped in 12 points and three rebounds.
The loss dropped Washington to 4-7 and left the team in 10th place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Wizards are ahead of the Indiana Pacers and Orlando Magic, while sitting behind the Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat.
Washington stays on the road for its next game, facing the Pacers on Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. ET.
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