On Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers earned a memorable early-season win against the Washington Wizards, one of the top teams in the Eastern Conference.
The win saw the Lakers come back in the fourth quarter to force overtime on a Brandon Ingram lay-up, then use some clutch baskets from Kyle Kuzma and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to secure the victory.
Ingram and Kuzma combined for 34 points, 13 rebounds and countless big baskets late. The two combined for 15 points in the fourth quarter and helped the Lakers fight their way back into the game.
Coming into the night, many thought the showdown to watch would be Lonzo Ball and John Wall. The latter had some words for LaVar Ball after Lonzo’s father predicted a Laker win.
That match-up however, failed to amount to much of anything. Aside from a third-quarter burst, Wall struggled all night long while Ball relied on his play-making and rebounding to help the Lakers when on a night when he struggled from the line.
Still, both had roles in the big moments down the stretch. Ball converted on a big lay-up late and had assists for clutch Kuzma and Randle three-pointers. Wall, meanwhile, was rejected by Julius Randle late and turned the ball over, setting up a dunk and eventual win for the Lakers.
After last night, the Lakers will be hoping Wall plays with “no mercy” every time they play the Wizards.
