< The Latest 2025-01-22T09:20:15+0000
The Pasadena Star-News | Tue 01/21 10:24pm PST | Khobi Price
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, right, keeps the ball away from Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington during the first half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis reaches for a rebound as Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr, back, defends during the first half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) shoots over Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, right, during the first half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Lakers guard Dalton Knecht (4) attempts a layup against Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr during the first half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Lakers forward LeBron James handles the ball as Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George defends during the first half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura dunks during the first half of a game against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves shoots as Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) defends during the first half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Lakers star LeBron James gets to the basket for a layup during the first half of their game against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma (33) speaks to teammates forward Corey Kispert (24), forward Kyshawn George (18) and guard Bub Carrington (8) during the first half of their game against the Lakers on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Lakers star LeBron James, front, gestures while his teammates on the bench react after he dunked during the first half of their game against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Lakers forward LeBron James reacts during the first half of their game against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George brings the ball up the court during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Washington Wizards forward Corey Kispert (24) lays the ball up during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Washington Wizards guard Jordan Poole, right, dribbles as Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith defends during the second half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) shoots the ball over Lakers forward LeBron James, right, during the second half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Lakers head coach JJ Redick looks on from the sideline during the first half of their game against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma brings the ball up the court during the second half of their game against the Lakers on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr (20) loses the ball as he is defended by Lakers forward Anthony Davis, left, and forward LeBron James, back, during the second half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, right, collides with Lakers forward Anthony Davis during the second half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Washington Wizards center Jonas Valanciunas (17) reaches for a rebound with Lakers guard Gabe Vincent, left, as Lakers forward Dorian Finney-Smith, right, looks on during the second half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Washington Wizards forward Alexandre Sarr, right, blocks a shot by Lakers forward Rui Hachimura during the second half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Washington Wizards guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) shoots the ball as Lakers center Jaxson Hayes (11) looks on during the second half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Washington Wizards forward Kyshawn George handles the ball as Lakers forward Anthony Davis defends during the second half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura dribbles the ball up the court against the Washington Wizards during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington (8) lays the ball up past Lakers forward Anthony Davis during the second half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Lakers star LeBron James warms up prior to their game against the Washington Wizards on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Lakers guard Gabe Vincent warms up prior to the start of a game against the Washington Wizards Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, right, keeps the ball away from Washington Wizards guard Bub Carrington during the first half on Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Raul Romero Jr.)
LOS ANGELES — For as up-and-down as the Lakers’ season has been, there’s been one constant: their ability to take care of business against the NBA’s worst teams.
The Lakers entered Tuesday with an 11-1 record against teams with sub-.500 records – the second-best record in the Western Conference in those scenarios behind the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder – exhibiting their ability to avoid overlooking lesser opponents.
It was on display again Tuesday night at Crypto.com Arena in the Lakers’ 111-88 victory over the league-worst Washington Wizards, who dropped their 11th consecutive game to fall to 6-36.
“That was one of our more complete games, regardless of what time of season it was or who the opponent was,” Coach JJ Redick said. “We had a really professional approach.”
The Lakers (23-18) pulled off the near wire-to-wire win behind dominant performances from their star players and Dorian Finney-Smith’s best offensive performance since joining the Lakers last month.
Anthony Davis finished with a game-high 29 points to go with 16 rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots in 32 minutes.
LeBron James had 21 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds for his ninth triple-double of the season, one day after flying to Atlanta and back to watch Ohio State play in the college football national title game on his day off.
He showed no ill effects from his long trip Monday. The 121st triple-double of his career was his first since turning 40 last month.
“We went out, we had a game plan, we executed that,” said James, who ranks fifth on the career triple-doubles list. “Defensively, we were great. We were in tune with what they wanted to do, what they tried to do. And offensively, we shared the ball, limited our turnovers. We were really good.”
Finney-Smith scored 16 points off of the bench, his most as a Laker, on 6-of-8 shooting (4 for 6 from 3-point range).
Austin Reaves added 16 points and eight assists, but shot 4 for 15 from the field.
The Lakers had 30 assists on their 43 baskets while shooting 47.8% from the field.
After taking a 59-49 lead into halftime, the Lakers led by double digits for most of the second half on their way to the 23-point win.
With his team leading 107-88 with two minutes left, Redick subbed his main rotation players out.
“They’re struggling all year and we didn’t want them to come in and give them life,” Davis said. “So we kinda just want to play our style of basketball and on both ends of the floor. Kind of put them away early. Everybody make shots against us, but I think we did a good job of maintaining our competitiveness and our professionalism to go out and win this game.”
Bilal Coulibaly had 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and two blocks to lead the Wizards, who dropped to 1-18 on the road this season midway through a six-game trip. Jordan Poole and Corey Kispert both scored 15 points.
Tuesday marked the midway point of the regular season for the Lakers.
“Just approaching each game with professionalism, no matter who we’re playing,” Davis said, when asked what he likes about his team and what could improve. “Honestly, this is a struggling team, and then on Thursday we play one of the best teams in the league. So we gotta have the same approach of coming out and doing what we’re supposed to do. So I think we just can find that consistency of having the right mindset come to each game, we’ll be OK.”
The Lakers will go from playing the league’s worst teams to one of the best when they match up against the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics on Thursday night to wrap up their homestand.
“Same [thing] we want to see every night when we go against any team,” James said when asked what he wants to see from his team on Thursday. “We just gotta try to play our game. Be physical defensively. Share the ball offensively. Communicate.
“I don’t even think it’s about Boston. Boston knows who they are. We’re still learning, getting better with what we want to do. Obviously, we will have a game plan set in place for such a great team.”