Pelicans' Anthony Davis: Submits historic stat line in loss

Davis went off for 50 points (17-34 FG, 0-2 3Pt, 16-17 FT), 16 rebounds, seven steals, five assists and four blocks across 41 minutes in Wednesday's 107-102 win over the Nuggets.

Analysis:

The 50-point outing -- the highest scoring total Davis has posted in any of his career games at New Orleans' Smoothie King Center -- would have been enough for fantasy owners by itself, but his immense across-the-board contributions make the performance an early contender for best single-game fantasy stat line of the season. In addition to posting the massive double-double, the seven steals were a career best for Davis, while the assist and block totals doubled up his per-game averages in those categories a season ago. In fact, according to ESPN Stats & Info, Davis is the first player to post at least 45 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and five steals in a game since steals became a recorded stat in 1973-74. Davis' injury issues are well known at this point, but games like these serve as a reminder of why the 23-year-old was still a popular first-round pick in most fantasy formats. If he can surpass the 70-game threshold for the first time in his career and avoid the bumps and bruises that have frequently derailed him in the past, Davis has league MVP upside.