Here are the scores, updates, and results of the NBA 2022-2023 Regular Season between the Los Angeles Lakers (LAL) and the Washington Wizards (WAS) on December 19, 2022 (All times are in Philippine Standard Time) at the Crypto.com Arena.
The Los Angeles Lakers defend home court against the Washington Wizards as they take a terrific 119-117 win. Not only that, but they also overcame the absence of their star player, Anthony Davis.
With the time running down and the shot clock turned off with a deadlock at 117, James nearly turned over the ball as he passes it to one of his teammates. Both teams scramble for the possession, but LeBron recovered the ball and found an open Bryant underneath the rim. The big man then flushes it with two hands, giving the squad a promising two-point lead with only seconds remaining in regulation.
Kuzma, on the other end, threw up a three-pointer over the overstretched arms of James to take a one-point winning advantage, but it was no good. This three-point attempt could have had snapped their nine-game losing slump.
Davis, who is currently averaging 27.4 points and 12.1 rebounds per game, hurt his right foot in their previous matchup against the Denver Nuggets, resulting in an injury that might sideline him for several weeks.
Washington started the second half with an explosion, scoring 36 points while limiting the home team to only score 21 points. However, they were not able to maintain their aggressiveness as they head towards the fourth quarter and ended up with their tenth straight setback.
“The King” led Los Angeles with 33 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds while Bryant, who is currently filling the shoes of Davis, had 16 points and ten boards, ending the contest with a double-double stat line. In addition, Bryant also sank down two corner three-pointers.
Walker IV had 21 in the game while Reaves and Schroder had 24 combined points in the winning effort, 12 from both of them.
The Lakers were also playing without their defensive player, Patrick Beverley due to a right calf injury.
As for the Wizards, they had outstanding fire power from from their front court against Los Angeles, but it was not enough to take the victory.
Bradley Beal had 29 points while going 9-17 from the field. Kuzma, the former Laker, added 22 points and 16 rebounds while Porzingis had 21 points and 11 boards for Washington.
Gafford, who came into the floor as a part of the second cast, had 12 points, seven rebounds, and came up big in the fourth. Westbrook continues his versatility on the court as he also came from the bench. The athletic guard had nine points, eight dishes, and nine rebounds.
Los Angeles advance to 13-16 while Washington drops to 11-20.
Lakers vs Wizards
29-30; 23-36; 36-21; 29-32
The scores:
Lakers (119) – James 33, Walker IV 21, Bryant 16, Schroder 12, Reaves 12
Wizards (117) – Beal 29, Kuzma 22, Porzingis 21, Gafford 12, Avdija 8