Wahala no dey for Crypto.com Arena on Monday night as Los Angeles Lakers show dem say dem still get power. Even without Luka Doncic wey dey suspended, LeBron James carry team for back with proper triple-double performance. Final score na 120-101 for Lakers side, and dis win make am 12 wins out of 13 games wey dem play recently.
LeBron James, at 41 years old, come out like young boy wey just enter NBA. Dem give am two days rest before dis match, and e show say rest dey important. E finish with 21 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. Na im third triple-double for dis season, and e don reach 125 for im whole career. Na oldest player for NBA history to do dis kind thing again, breaking im own record wey e set before.
Coach JJ Redick talk say dem use Sunday practice well well. “We dey teach, we dey clean up small things,” e yarn. “Practice like dis no dey plenty for us, so we make sure we use am well.” Dem carry dat energy enter court against Washington Wizards, team wey dey struggle this season.
But make we no forget say Luka Doncic no dey for dis match. NBA suspend am for one game because of technical foul number 16 wey e collect. Doncic dey lead NBA for scoring with 33.7 points per game, but im absence no spoil show. Austin Reaves take over ballhandling duties and do well well – 19 points and 9 assists, even though im shooting no too sweet for three-point line.
Other players wey show face include Jaxson Hayes wey score 19 points with perfect 8-for-8 shooting. Luke Kennard join from bench with another 19 points, including four three-pointers wey sweet die. Deandre Ayton do im own part with 12 points and 3 blocks. Dem all contribute make Lakers win easy.
Washington Wizards, on dia own side, dey tie for worst record for whole NBA – 17 wins and 58 losses. Dem don lose 18 out of dia last 19 games. For dis match, Will Riley lead dem with 20 points, and Justin Champagnie add 18. But dem no fit match Lakers energy.
First quarter start small small. Lakers jump to 6-0 lead with Austin Reaves throwing alley-oop pass to LeBron James. But Wizards fight back take lead 12-11, force Coach Redick to call timeout. Quarter finish with Wizards leading 26-25 after last-second layup.
Second quarter na where everything change. Jaxson Hayes come with fire – three big dunks in quick time. Lakers run 11-0 to take control. Rui Hachimura, playing against im former team, shoot well with three straight shots including three-pointer. By halftime, Lakers lead don reach 65-44.
Third quarter almost spoil game. Lakers start lazy, allow Wizards cut lead to just 10 points. But Luke Kennard save dem with two three-pointers before quarter end. Score dey 91-77 for Lakers side.
Fourth quarter na cruise control. LeBron start with 6-0 run, extend lead to 20 points. Jaxson Hayes even shoot three-pointer wey surprise everybody before game end. Crypto.com Arena full with 18,997 fans wey enjoy show.
LeBron James achievement no small. Dis win make am tie Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most career victories in NBA history – 1,228 wins including playoffs. At 41, man still dey break records like say e just start career.
Lakers now dey 49-26 for season. Dem dey first for Pacific Division. Phoenix Suns win against Memphis delay Lakers from clinching playoff spot immediately, but e go soon happen. Wizards dey 17-58, last for Southeast Division.
Next match for Lakers na Tuesday against Cleveland Cavaliers. Doncic go return for dat game after serving suspension. Wizards go face Philadelphia 76ers on Wednesday. NBA season dey wind down, but Lakers show say dem ready for playoffs.
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