The Los Angeles Lakers hosted the Washington Wizards in the Crypto.com Arena for their first game since the injury to Anthony Davis that has ruled the star out for the rest of 2022. The Lakers came into the contest 4 games under .500 and felt the need to win games to ensure they can be a playoff team.
LeBron James stepped up to the moment and had another efficient 30-point game to lead the Lakers to a 117-119 win over the Wizards. The Lakers had great performances from the supporting cast as well, as fans were impressed with the win that brings the Lakers’ record to 13-16 on the season.
Wild Win @KingJames: 33 pts, 7 reb, 9 ast@lonniewalker_4: 21 pts@nolimittb31: 16 pts, 10 reb
Dennis Schröder: 12 pts, 7 ast
Austin Reaves: 12 pts@russwest44: 9 pts, 9 reb, 8 ast pic.twitter.com/FU5w7XVAzG
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 19, 2022
He's got this. #LakersWin pic.twitter.com/usFap3o1iM
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) December 19, 2022
https://twitter.com/georgemikan/status/1604703908403847168
dis win should be a clear example of how bad pat bev is for the lakers. we look like a completely different team w/ him not playing, even without ad. trading him and nunn during this stretch will do wonders for our record
— Coach Rome (@Rome_Beast) December 19, 2022
Lakers just won in the most airheaded way, you can't make this up 😭😭😭😭
— Ahmed/The Ears/IG: BigBizTheGod 🇸🇴 (@big_business_) December 19, 2022
CHAOS TO END IT.
LAKERS WIN‼️ pic.twitter.com/z5kiWzGdtB
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 19, 2022
GET BRON SOME HELP @LAKERS pic.twitter.com/3AtcuNVm5z
— Lakers Lead (@LakersLead) December 18, 2022
LEBRON POINTED AT WHERE HE WAS GONNNA SHOOT IT 🤣🤣🤣#LakeShow pic.twitter.com/dUqrSHufBe
— FADE (@FadeAwayMedia) December 19, 2022
LeBron James last 4 games:
33 points, 7 rebounds, 9 assists
30 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists,
33 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists
35 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists
Timeless King. 👑 pic.twitter.com/ACe3rDheEa
— Lakers Daily (@LakersDailyCom) December 19, 2022
LeBron James has tied Michael Jordan for the most consecutive 30-point games aged 37 or older with his FOURTH straight tonight.
Greatness personified 👑 pic.twitter.com/e8bO5cjSqP
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) December 19, 2022
LeBron already has nine 30-point games this season 👑
All other players in Year 20 or later have combined for seven such games 😮 pic.twitter.com/WofN76Uxfu
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 19, 2022
This is basically unheard of for a player in his 20th season…
LeBron is 1 of 1 👑 pic.twitter.com/keKTg4BrC5
— Bron’s Best (@LBJsBest) December 17, 2022
Anything is an improvement after the 2-10 start that made the Lakers look like the worst team in the NBA. They have had many close losses in this run as well, showing that the Lakers have the ingredients to win. A trade might make it better with additional depth, given the AD injury, but it seems unlikely that the Lakers will make a big trade anytime soon.
Can The Lakers Survive Without Anthony Davis?
The recipe for the last 2 seasons of the Lakers has played out like this. The team looks competent with both LBJ and AD playing to their highest level before AD gets injured and LeBron has to carry an extremely heavy load at the age of 38. It won’t work for the Lakers against any good team. The Wizards entered this game having lost 12 of their last 13 games.
A trade to boost frontcourt depth is a must. Thomas Bryant looked great in AD’s position, but the Lakers need another reliable big-man backup and a switchable forward that can take pressure off LeBron. Kyle Kuzma might be the guy but we will have to wait and see.
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