On Tuesday, the Los Angeles Lakers (22-18) took on the Washington Wizards (6-35) at Crypto.com Arena in what many anticipated would be a straightforward victory. The Wizards, who came into the game with a 17-game road losing streak, presented little challenge for the Lakers.
From the outset, the game showcased brief flashes of competitive energy. The Wizards hung with the Lakers throughout the first quarter, showing athleticism and determination despite their dismal record.
However, the Lakers began to flex as the game progressed into the second quarter. A highlight moment came when Austin Reaves lobbed an alley-oop to LeBron James, who finished with a one-handed dunk, exciting the packed arena.
The Lakers displayed their flair in the second quarter with creative tosses and precise assists. While these plays energized the game, the team struggled to assert full dominance, rarely leading by more than 10 points until the third quarter.
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With 2:47 remaining on the clock and the Lakers leading 107-88, the crowd erupted in chants of “We want Bronny,” calling for No. 9 Bronny James to take the court.
At 1:59, the USC product entered the court, sending the arena into a frenzy. Every move Bronny made was met with enthusiastic cheers, from his steal to a defensive rebound and even a close basket attempt. The excitement was palpable.
Joining Bronny for the final two minutes of play was teammate No. 55 Trey Jemison III, who added to the moment by sinking a free throw in the final minutes of play.
Head Coach JJ Redick expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Lakers.
“I like our group. The guys are really starting to not just accept roles but embrace roles,” Redick said.
Redick highlighted the contributions of forward Dorian Finney-Smith, calling it his “best game.” Finney-Smith tallied 16 points in 22 minutes and 12 seconds of play, his most impactful outing since joining the team last month.
“Tonight was my night,” Finney-Smith said. “It’s been fun playing with these guys, just trying to collect some wins and keep it going.”
Redick also praised guard Max Christie for his defensive effort against Wizards guard Jordan Poole.
“Max had a really standout defensive performance tonight. The job he did on Poole, making it tough on him,” Redick said.
Anthony Davis delivered on both ends of the court with 29 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks, well above his season average of 25.6 points per game. Lakers forward LeBron James also made a significant impact, contributing 21 points and leading the night with 13 assists.
This was a solid and expected win for the Lakers, delivered through a strong collective effort.
