
LOS ANGELES — In an electrifying performance, LeBron James showcased his exceptional skills by scoring 21 points, dishing out 13 assists, and grabbing 10 rebounds. This remarkable feat came just a day after he took a round trip to Atlanta to enjoy a football game on his day off. Thanks to his efforts, the Los Angeles Lakers triumphed over the Washington Wizards with a commanding 111-88 victory on Tuesday night, marking the Wizards’ 11th consecutive defeat.
With this victory, James not only recorded his 121st career triple-double but also achieved his ninth of the current season. The all-time leading scorer in NBA history demonstrated that the long trip to watch his Ohio State Buckeyes secure a win in the College Football Playoff championship game against Notre Dame did not detract from his performance. His resilience and skill continue to define his legendary status in the league.
Anthony Davis significantly contributed to the Lakers’ success with an impressive 29 points and 16 rebounds. Meanwhile, Dorian Finney-Smith made his mark by sinking four 3-pointers and finishing with 16 points. Additionally, Austin Reaves also added 16 points to the scoreboard, showcasing the depth of talent within the Lakers’ roster.
For the Wizards, Bilal Coulibaly emerged as a bright spot, scoring 17 points, but it wasn’t enough to change their fortunes, as they have not secured a victory since New Year’s Day. Jordan Poole and Corey Kispert contributed 15 points each, but Washington’s struggles continued, leaving them with a dismal 1-18 record on the road as they navigate through a challenging six-game trip.
In another notable moment, Bronny James took to the court for the final 1:59 of the game, marking a significant experience for the young player.
Wizards’ standout player Coulibaly achieved his highest-scoring performance for January, while former Lakers player Kyle Kuzma contributed 12 points and nine rebounds to the game against his previous team. This game highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by the Wizards as they seek to turn their season around.
Despite a few moments of struggle, the Lakers maintained control throughout the game, not trailing in the final 44 minutes. This victory improved their record to 23-18 as they reached the midpoint of their season, demonstrating their ability to handle business against the league’s underperforming teams effectively.
James was particularly impactful in the second quarter, scoring 10 points as the Lakers began to pull away. He completed his triple-double with 3:19 left in the game, prompting the Lakers to call a timeout immediately to substitute him and Davis out of the game, preserving their stars for future matchups.
In a noteworthy statistical achievement, James recorded his 2,308th career steal during the second quarter, surpassing the legendary Scottie Pippen to claim seventh place in NBA history. He concluded the game with a total of 2,309 steals, closing in on Maurice Cheeks, who is sixth on the all-time list with 2,310.
Looking ahead, the Lakers are set to host the Celtics on Thursday, a highly anticipated matchup, while the Wizards will travel down the 110 freeway to face the Clippers on the same day, hoping to break their losing streak.
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