LeBron James doesn’t take an evening in Lakers’ victory over the wizards

Washington – LeBron James went through the hallway outside Laker’s closet on Thursday night and wondered how to mentally engage in the 48 minutes ahead of him.

He and his teammates 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.

They should find another feeling.

“I liked that we were playing anger,” said Laker’s coach JJ Redick.

With Anthony Davis back in Los Angeles, who began treatment on a strained abdominal muscle, James ensured that Lakers would not 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.

“He was fantastic. He was aggressive. He spoke. Just his willingness to trust his teammates and create for others and create for themselves, ”Redick said. “And do not overlook the fact that he is 40 years old in year 22 with each recognition under the sun, and he comes out on a Thursday night, there is a non-national TV game against a team that really fights and he is the tone setter. It is again, competitive endurance. It’s impressive. “

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-Smith, Lakers scored a season high 78 points in the first half. Seven Lakers were in double figures, with Rui Hachimura scoring 22 and Shake Milton added 21 in his best game as a varnish. With reserves playing the entire fourth quarter, Bronny James got a huge roar as he scored his second field goal of the season while being buried. Hachimura celebrated the bucket by wrapping lebron in a head lock on the bench.

Hachimura said he and Lakers see how much LeBron cares about his son and how he has encouraged him when he has had limited playing time.

“I knew he wanted it so badly. So I knew that as soon as he scored it, he tried, I think it was a bit, ”Hachimura said of Lebron’s reaction. “So that’s why I was like, ‘Come on, Bro …’ But yes, he’s my big brother. So of course I was happy about it. It was a great moment. “

However, the game was quickly secondary to good news about Davis, where Redick said the injury is not considered serious. Before the game, Davis was selected by the Western Conference Coaches as an NBA All-Star for 10th time. Redick said Laker’s Hope Davis will return 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 New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Redick said Vincent could also be back after missing three games.

“I think our guys will be ready to go on Saturday night against Knicks in the garden,” Redick said. “Hopefully it’s” available. Hopefully Gabe is available, but if not, next man up and keep playing the right way, which is what we did tonight. “