LOS ANGELES — Anthony Davis was back, and so were the LA Lakers.

It always helps to add an eight-time All-Star to your lineup, in case the Lakers’ 106-96 victory Tuesday over the Brooklyn Nets did not prove the point. 

Davis returned from a six-week absence and quickly announced his presence with three blocked shots in the first quarter. The Lakers followed through with one of their best defensive efforts this season and improved to 2-1 on their season-long six-game road trip.

Davis said his sprained left knee felt fine after the game. In fact, it was better than fine.

“I felt great,” Davis told Spectrum SportsNet. “Trying to do it on the defensive end to help my team. Just trying to do my part … and play with some presence.” 

Davis did little on offense, scoring eight points while navigating foul trouble. He also took only two rebounds in 25 minutes but finished with four blocked shots to provide the rim protection the Lakers lacked since he was injured Dec. 17.

“It looked like he was moving well. We were cautious to make sure we didn’t keep his runs too long,” Lakers Coach Frank Vogel said. “For the most part, he looked really good and those little finishes will come.”

Ah, yes. The little finishes.

Davis missed some shots near the basket and was short on a jumper from the baseline. He missed five of eight attempts. Whatever.

He was coming off a 17-game absence. The Lakers went 7-10 without him. 

LeBron James scored 33 points, continuing his sublime scoring streak of 18 consecutive games with at least 25 points. He put the game out of reach with steals on consecutive fourth-quarter Nets possessions. He punctuated each with a fastbreak dunk at the other end.

“Just kind of channeling my inner Ed Reed at that point in time,” James said, referring to one of the best defensive backs in NFL history.

James and Carmelo Anthony scored half the Lakers’ points on the way to a 62-53 halftime lead.

Davis’ reappearance seemed to create a trickle-down effect. The Lakers scored 27 fastbreak points, topping their previous season-high of 24, and forced 18 turnovers.

Curiously, though, the Lakers (24-24) were beat badly on the boards. Brooklyn crushed the Lakers in offensive rebounds, 18-5. 

The Lakers’ first offensive rebound did not come until reserve guard Austin Reaves grabbed one in the final minute of the third quarter. Reaves actually led the Lakers with four offensive rebounds.

For one of the few times this season, the Lakers were not the short-handed team. Brooklyn (29-18) went without Kevin Durant, who sat out because of a sprained knee, and Kyrie Irving, who was ineligible to play because of COVID-19 guidelines in New York City.

James Harden did just about everything for the Nets but got little help from teammates. He had 33 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists, but Patty Mills (15 points) and DeAndre’ Bembry (12 points) were his only teammates in double-figure scoring.