Wizards vs. Lakers – NBA Game Recap – December 18, 2022 | ESPN

LOS ANGELES — — LeBron James had 33 factors and 9 assists, Lonnie Walker scored 21 factors and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame the absence of Anthony Davis to beat the Washington Wizards 119-117 on Sunday night time.

Davis, the Lakers’ chief at 27.4 factors and 12.1 rebounds, injured his proper foot Friday night time in a victory over Denver and is anticipated to be sidelined for a number of weeks.

Thomas Bryant added 16 factors and 10 rebounds to assist the Lakers win for the third time of their final 4 video games and hand Washington its tenth straight loss and thirteenth in 14 video games.

“It’s important to comply with the lead and generally wait on your (identify) to be referred to as,” mentioned Bryant after making his third begin with Davis sidelined. “It would not change the truth that you must be prepared and keep prepared and do what you possibly can to be sure to’re in that mode in case one thing like this occurs. I take pleasure within the preparation that I’ve.”

James appeared to lose the ball close to midcourt, however regained possession and located Bryant beneath for a tiebreaking dunk with 7.1 seconds remaining. Former Laker Kyle Kuzma missed a 3-pointer for Washington with 2.1 seconds left.

“Whoever is on the market to play, we have now to make performs,” mentioned James who had his fourth consecutive sport of no less than 30 factors. “We’re all NBA gamers and we have now to exit and belief the sport plan the coaches put oth there. Tonight, we had been in a position to do this for almost all of the sport.”

Bradley Beal scored 29 factors in his return to the Wizards. He missed the previous six video games due to a hamstring damage, final seeing motion Dec. 4 in a 130-119 house loss to the Lakers,

Kuzma scored 22 factors and Kristaps Porzingis added 21 for Washington. The Wizards final received Nov. 28 at house towards Minnesota.

“It is irritating for positive,” Wizards coach Wes Unseld Jr. mentioned after permitting the go-ahead basket on a damaged play. “We had been taking part in to get the ball out of (James’) arms and missed it. We bought a hand on the ball to knock it unfastened, we simply did not give you possession.”

The Wizards led 102-98 with 6:43 remaining after an alley-oop dunk by Daniel Gafford. However an 8-0 run from Lakers, capped by James’ three-point play, gave Los Angeles a 106-102 lead with 5:09 remaining. The Lakers by no means trailed once more.

Austin Reaves hit a pair of floaters because the Lakers went up 115-111 with 1:17 remaining. However the Wizards tied it on consecutive baskets from Gafford and Beal.

James put the Lakers forward 117-115 when he introduced the ball down courtroom and cut up the lane for an uncontested dunk with 27.1 seconds remaining. Beal tied it once more at 117 on a pair of free throws with 23.1 seconds left.

Beal performed 32 minutes in his return.

“I believed he appeared nice,” Unseld mentioned. “It is a credit score to him that he was capable of bounce again. he is actually good so far as getting his rhythm on the ground.”

DAVIS DOWN

Davis was injured Friday when his foot was twisted towards the leg of the Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.

The severity nonetheless is being decided. He was set to see a specialist Sunday night time.

Davis missed 36 of the Lakers’ 72 regular-season video games within the 2020-21 season, then didn’t play in 42 of their 82 video games final season. Sunday was simply his fourth absence this season.

TIP-INS

Wizards: Gafford sustained an ankle damage within the first half however returned after halftime. … G Delon Wright, who hasn’t performed since Oct. 25 due to a hamstring damage, continues to progress towards a doable return by the top of the month.

Lakers: G Patrick Beverley didn’t play due to proper calf soreness. … Reaves stepped on the foot of Gafford simply previous the halfway level of the third quarter and went to the locker room with an ankle damage earlier than he returned within the fourth

UP NEXT

Wizards: At Phoenix on Tuesday night time.

Lakers: At Phoenix on Monday night time.

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