To beat the reeling Wizards, Lakers defeat Davis’ absence

LOS ANGELES (AP) — 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.

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 scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the Lakers, who won their third consecutive game in four. Washington suffered its 10th straight defeat and 13th in 14 games.

James lost the ball at midcourt but was able to regain possession and find Bryant underneath. Bryant scored a tiebreaking dunk in 7.1 seconds. With 2.1 seconds remaining, former Laker Kyle Kuzma missed an attempt at a 3-pointer to help Washington.

Bradley Beal scored 29 in his return to Wizards. Due to a hamstring injury, he missed six of the previous games. He last played Dec. 4, in a home loss to the Lakers 130-119.

Kuzma scored 22 and Kristaps Porzingis added 21 points for Washington. The Wizards’ last win was Nov. 28, against Minnesota.

After Daniel Gafford’s alley-oop, the Wizards were leading 102-98 at 6:43. Los Angeles held a 106-102 lead after a Lakers 8-0 run, which was capped by James’ three point play. The Lakers never trailed once again.

Austin Reaves made a pair of floaters to help the Lakers go up 115-111 with just 1:07 left. However, the Wizards tied it with consecutive baskets from Gafford & Beal.

James made it 117 to 115 in Lakers’ favor when he brought down the ball and split the court for an uncontested dunk. Beal tied the game at 117 with a pair free throws with 23.1 second remaining.

DAVIS DOWN

Davis was hurt Friday when his foot was bent against the leg Nikola Jokic, Nuggets star.

Still, the severity is being determined. He was scheduled to see a specialist on 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 only his fourth absence of the season.

TIP-INS

Wizards: Gafford was injured in the ankle during the first period, but he returned at 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: Bryant got his third start in the season against Davis. … 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

UP NEXT

Wizards: Tuesday night at Phoenix

Lakers: Phoenix on Monday night.

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