WATCH: “Defensive Player of the Year” – Lakers’ Anthony Davis coming up with a ‘clutch’ block against 3 Pistons defenders has fans in awe

Anthony Davis is a huge contender for this season’s Defensive Player of the Year Award.

Anthony Davis (via X/LA Lakers)

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Anthony Davis, the superstar big man for the Los Angeles Lakers, executed an improbable block during Tuesday’s game against the Detroit Pistons, sparking a social media frenzy as fans and analysts buzzed about the spectacular performance.

LA committed a turnover early in the third quarter when Austin Reaves attempted to get the ball to Bron with a behind-the-back pass but failed, and a loose ball ensued. Before the Lakers realized it, three Detroit players were sprinting full speed toward what seemed like an easy shot.

However, Davis remained steadfast in his position. Jaden Ivey endeavored to maneuver around one of the league’s best defensive players to secure the shot, but he was unsuccessful. As a result, Davis drew a foul, and on the subsequent possession, D’Lo nailed a three-pointer.

Instead of conceding an easy basket, Davis recovered and blocked Pistons guard Jaden Ivey’s layup attempt. This block was one of six for the nine-time All-Star. Lakers teammate, LeBron James was asked about his thoughts regarding the block at the end of the game and had this to say:

We were testing him. We turned the ball over and then absolutely nobody got back. It was a three-on-one, and we were testing to see if he’s the Defensive Player of the Year or not. And he showed it. He showed why [he is].

AD wrapped up the night with 20 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 blocks, all achieved within 28 minutes of game time. This accomplishment places him among the elite, as only the fifth player ever to achieve such numbers in under 30 minutes. Remarkably, he is also the third player this season to accomplish this feat and was crucial in the win.

Related: WATCH: Anthony Davis’ full-court assist to LeBron James for a ‘thunderous’ dunk against the Pistons goes viral

Fans react to another Anthony Davis’s masterclass against Detroit Pistons

LeBron James wasn’t the only one left in awe by the spectacular defensive play of seasoned LA Lakers veteran Anthony Davis. Fans flooded social media platforms, including the ever-popular X (formerly called Twitter), to share in the excitement and admiration for Davis’s skills on the court.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis (Credits: NBA.com)
A couple of fans’ reactions below. Most of them turned up to congratulate and praise AD:

Following his absence from consecutive games against the Atlanta Hawks and Boston Celtics due to hip and Achilles injuries, Davis has stormed back into the lineup. He helped the Lakers to a much-deserved win, proving his worth as a contender for the season’s DPOY Award.

The 9-time All-Star is currently averaging 22.0 points, 12.4 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 3.4 blocks per game over his last five starts. The Lakers have thrived during this period, boasting a 4-1 record, with their solitary loss occurring against the Denver Nuggets.