LeBron James doesn’t take an evening against NBA’s worst team in Lakers winner

On By Littum

Washington Wizards Guard Bilal Coulibaly (0) Defender Los Angeles Lakers Spider LeBron James.

Lakers star LeBron James controls the ball in front of the Washington Wizards Guard Bilal Coulibaly under Lakers’ 134-96 victory on Thursday night. James had 24 points and 11 assists. (Jess Rapfogel / Associated Press)

A Lakers player went through the hallway outside the team’s dressing room on Thursday night and wondered how to mentally engage in the 48 minutes ahead of him.

He and the team were tired, the team played for the third time on four nights across the country and is facing NBA’s worst team. It wasn’t easy to be focused, not against the six-win Washington Wizards.

It is NBA’s reality, painted by the schedule and bad opponents that are able to force teams to their worst habits.

Read more: Inside Lakers’ complex approach to NBA decisions

But with Anthony Davis Back in Los Angeles beginning treatment on a strained abdominal muscle, LeBron James secured Lakers wouldn’t take the night free.

James had 24 points and 11 assists in just 27 minutes, Lakers easily hit the guide 134-96 to hand Washington his 16. Considering loss.

Lakers (27-19) led by as many as 42 points as wizards (6-41) shot 31.9% off the field. Even without Davis, Gabe Vincent and Dorian Finney-SmithLakers scored a season high 78 points in the first half. Seven different lakers were in double with Rui Hachimura Scoring 22 and Shake Milton added 21 in his best game as Laker, Laker’s reserves that play the entire fourth quarter with Bronny James To get a huge roar when he scored his second field goal of the season while he was also buried. Hachimura celebrated the bucket by wrapping LeBron James in a head lock on the Lakers bench.

However, the game was quickly secondary to good news about Davis, where coach JJ Redick said the injury is not considered serious. Before the game Davis was selected by Western Conference Coaches as a NBA All-Star for 10th time In his career.

Redick said Laker’s Hope Davis will return sometime next week. Jaxson Hayes started in his place, scored 10 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Finney-Smith, who was dealing with a shoulder contusion, said he hopes to play on Saturday night when Lakers plays Knicks at Madison Square Garden.

Read more: Anthony Davis and James Harden selected as NBA All-Star reserves

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.