Lakers Overcome Davis’s Absence to Beat Reeling Wizards

Los Angeles Lakers' Thomas Bryant (31) clings to the rim after dunking against the Washington Wizards during the second half of an NBA basketball game, in Los Angeles on Dec. 18, 2022. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

LOS ANGELES—LeBron James had 33 points and nine assists, Lonnie Walker scored 21 points and the Los Angeles Lakers overcame the absence of Anthony Davis to beat the Washington Wizards 119–117 on Sunday night, Dec. 18.

Davis, the Lakers’ leader at 27.4 points and 12.1 rebounds, injured his right foot Friday night in a victory over Denver and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.

Thomas Bryant added 16 points and 10 rebounds to help the Lakers win for the third time in their last four games and hand Washington its 10th straight loss and 13th in 14 games.

James appeared to lose the ball near midcourt, but regained possession and found Bryant underneath for a tiebreaking dunk with 7.1 seconds remaining. Former Laker Kyle Kuzma missed a 3-pointer for Washington with 2.1 seconds left.

Bradley Beal scored 29 points in his return to the Wizards. He missed the past six games because of a hamstring injury, last seeing action Dec. 4 in a 130–119 home loss to the Lakers,

Kuzma scored 22 points and Kristaps Porzingis added 21 for Washington. The Wizards last won Nov. 28 at home against Minnesota.

The Wizards led 102–98 with 6:43 remaining after an alley-oop dunk by Daniel Gafford. But an 8–0 run from Lakers, capped by James’ three-point play, gave Los Angeles a 106–102 lead with 5:09 remaining. The Lakers never trailed again.

Austin Reaves hit a pair of floaters as the Lakers went up 115–111 with 1:17 remaining. But the Wizards tied it on consecutive baskets from Gafford and Beal.

Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James (6) celebrates with Austin Reaves (15) after making a basket assisted by Reaves during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Washington Wizards in Los Angeles on Dec. 18, 2022. (Jae C. Hong/AP Photo)

James put the Lakers ahead 117–115 when he brought the ball down court and split the lane for an uncontested dunk with 27.1 seconds remaining. Beal tied it again at 117 on a pair of free throws with 23.1 seconds left.

Davis Down

Davis was injured Friday when his foot was twisted against the leg of the Nuggets star Nikola Jokic.

The severity still is being determined. He was set to see a specialist Sunday night.

Davis missed 36 of the Lakers’ 72 regular-season games in the 2020-21 season, then didn’t play in 42 of their 82 games last season. Sunday was just his fourth absence this season.

Tip-Ins

Wizards: Gafford sustained an ankle injury in the first half but returned after halftime. …G Delon Wright, who hasn’t played since Oct. 25 because of a hamstring injury, continues to progress toward a possible return by the end of the month.

Lakers: With Davis out, Bryant received his third start of the season against his former team. …Reaves stepped on the foot of Gafford just past the midway point of the third quarter and went to the locker room with an ankle injury before he returned in the fourth.

By Doug Padilla