Jordan’s legend grew when he played through the flu in Game 5 of the 1997 NBA Finals, leading the Chicago Bulls to the win and eventually their fifth title in seven years. Tuesday’s game was just the 20th of the season for the Lakers but Davis’ effort still impressed his coach.

„For him to play through illness and have that kind of performance was something special,“ coach Frank Vogel said.

Davis missed the morning film session and his status for the game was questionable until before tip. He showed no effects of the illness, scoring most of the Lakers 24 points in the third quarter. He also had 10 rebounds and helped to hold Nuggets center Nikola Jokic to 13 points.

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Nuggets coach Michael Malone was an assistant in Cleveland during James’ first stint with the Cavaliers and praised the star’s sustained excellence.

„What he’s doing at his age, I mean, who is surprised?“ Malone said before the game. „…LeBron is incredible and that’s why he’ll go down as one of he best players to ever play the game.“

Vogel was also complimentary of Jokic.

„There’s no one like the Joker I think that’s every played the game,“ he said.

ESPN