LeBron James showcased his enduring brilliance Tuesday night, recording his 121st career triple-double with 21 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds as the Los Angeles Lakers cruised to a 111-88 victory over the struggling Washington Wizards. Meanwhile, Anthony Davis led the Lakers with a dominant performance, posting 29 points and 16 rebounds to solidify the team’s grip on the game.
Dorian Finney-Smith and Austin Reaves chipped in 16 points apiece, with Finney-Smith hitting four 3-pointers to provide valuable spacing. The Lakers maintained control throughout, never trailing after the opening minutes and extending their lead comfortably in the second quarter behind 10 points from James.
The Lakers hit the midway point of their season at 23-18, showing flashes of their potential despite occasional lapses against the NBA’s worst team. James capped his night by achieving his triple-double with just over three minutes left, earning an ovation from the home crowd as he and Davis exited the game. In another milestone, James recorded his 2,308th career steal in the second quarter, passing Scottie Pippen for seventh place in NBA history.
The victory also marked the debut of Bronny James, who played the final 1:59, adding a special moment for the Lakers faithful. As Los Angeles moves forward, this game showcases the balance and depth they’ll need to contend, so let’s provide a grade for every player.
Anthony Davis: A+
Stats: 29 PTS, 16 REB (4 OREB, 12 DREB), 5 AST, 1 STL, 4 BLK, 1 TO, 3 PF, 14-22 FG, 1-3 3PT, 0-1 FT, +20, 32 MIN
Davis delivered a dominant performance, leading the Lakers with 29 points and 16 rebounds, including 4 on the offensive end. His presence on both ends of the court was undeniable, adding 5 assists, 4 blocks, and a steal while shooting an efficient 14-for-22 from the field. With a game-high +20 plus/minus, Davis anchored the Lakers’ victory and showcased his ability to control the game in the paint.
LeBron James: A-
Stats: 21 PTS, 10 REB (0 OREB, 10 DREB), 13 AST, 2 STL, 1 BLK, 5 TO, 0 PF, 8-18 FG, 2-6 3PT, 3-3 FT, +19, 36 MIN
James once again demonstrated his brilliance with a triple-double, contributing 21 points, 13 assists, and 10 rebounds. He added 2 steals and a block, overcoming 5 turnovers with his leadership and clutch play. Despite a challenging shooting night (8-for-18 FG, 2-for-6 3PT), James’ ability to orchestrate the offense and hit key shots helped the Lakers maintain control throughout.
Austin Reaves: B+
Stats: 16 PTS, 2 REB (1 OREB, 1 DREB), 8 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, 4-15 FG, 1-8 3PT, 7-7 FT, +18, 36 MIN
Reaves chipped in 16 points, 8 assists, and 2 rebounds in 36 minutes, showcasing his playmaking skills. Though he struggled from the field (4-for-15 FG, 1-for-8 3PT), his perfect 7-for-7 performance at the free-throw line and defensive effort contributed to a +18 plus/minus, solidifying his impact on the game.
Dorian Finney-Smith: B+
Stats: 16 PTS, 2 REB (1 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 6-8 FG, 4-6 3PT, 0-0 FT, +3, 22 MIN
Finney-Smith provided vital spacing, scoring 16 points on an efficient 6-for-8 shooting, including 4-for-6 from beyond the arc. While his contributions were limited to scoring, his offensive efficiency and +3 plus/minus underscored his value as a reliable role player in 22 minutes.
Jaxson Hayes: B-
Stats: 8 PTS, 3 REB (0 OREB, 3 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 2 BLK, 0 TO, 1 PF, 3-3 FG, 0-0 3PT, 2-3 FT, +3, 19 MIN
Hayes made the most of his 19 minutes, scoring 8 points on a perfect 3-for-3 shooting and adding 2 blocks. Although his rebounding (3 boards) and overall presence were modest, his efficiency and defensive contributions helped the Lakers maintain control when he was on the court.
Rui Hachimura: C+
Stats: 9 PTS, 5 REB (0 OREB, 5 DREB), 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 2 PF, 4-10 FG, 0-2 3PT, 1-2 FT, +13, 26 MIN
Hachimura added 9 points and 5 rebounds in 26 minutes but struggled with consistency, shooting 4-for-10 from the field and 0-for-2 from three. Despite his offensive struggles, his +13 plus/minus reflected his defensive energy and ability to contribute in other areas.
Max Christie: C+
Stats: 5 PTS, 5 REB (0 OREB, 5 DREB), 1 AST, 0 STL, 3 BLK, 2 TO, 1 PF, 2-7 FG, 1-5 3PT, 0-0 FT, +22, 31 MIN
Christie had an active defensive presence, blocking 3 shots and grabbing 5 rebounds. However, his offensive game was underwhelming, with just 5 points on 2-for-7 shooting, including 1-for-5 from deep. Despite his inefficiency, his defensive effort and +22 plus/minus highlighted his impact.
Gabe Vincent: C
Stats: 3 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 3 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 3 PF, 1-2 FG, 1-2 3PT, 0-0 FT, +1, 25 MIN
Vincent had a quiet game offensively, contributing just 3 points on 1-for-2 shooting. He added 3 assists and 2 rebounds but failed to make a significant impact in his 25 minutes, finishing with a +1 plus/minus.
Dalton Knecht: N/A
Stats: 3 PTS, 2 REB (0 OREB, 2 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 1-4 FG, 1-2 3PT, 0-0 FT, +8, 8 MIN
Knecht played limited minutes, scoring 3 points on 1-for-4 shooting and grabbing 2 rebounds. While he made a three-pointer, his minimal role in 8 minutes made it difficult to assess his overall contribution.
Trey Jemison III: N/A
Stats: 1 PTS, 2 REB (1 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 0 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-0 FG, 0-0 3PT, 1-2 FT, +4, 2 MIN
In just 2 minutes of action, Jemison scored 1 point and grabbed 2 rebounds. Although his time on the court was brief, his hustle was evident in his +4 plus/minus.
Bronny James: N/A
Stats: 0 PTS, 1 REB (0 OREB, 1 DREB), 0 AST, 1 STL, 0 BLK, 0 TO, 0 PF, 0-1 FG, 0-0 3PT, 0-0 FT, +4, 2 MIN
Making his debut, Bronny James played the final 2 minutes, recording 1 rebound and 1 steal. While he didn’t score, his brief appearance was a memorable moment for the Lakers and their fans.
