The Los Angeles Lakers sent a strong message to the rest of the NBA on Monday night. The team secured a commanding 120-101 victory over the Washington Wizards, proving they are not only contenders in the Western Conference but also capable of winning without Luka Doncic.
Veteran star LeBron James led the way with a triple-double: 21 points, 10 rebounds, and 12 assists, but the win was a collective effort.
Six Lakers scored in double figures:
- LeBron James – 21
- Austin Reaves – 19
- Luke Kennard – 19
- Jaxson Hayes – 19
- Rui Hachimura – 14
- Deandre Ayton – 12
What makes the victory even more impressive is that Los Angeles achieved it while awaiting Doncic’s return from a one-game suspension for accumulating his 16th technical foul of the season.
The Lakers proved dangerous even without Luka
Many expected the Lakers to struggle without their star guard, but the opposite happened. As Lake Show Life writer Chris Lambert noted:
When a team designs its entire offense around one guy, it can be very problematic with the court shrinking, and defenses really lock in during the playoffs.
He compared the situation to the Houston Rockets’ reliance on James Harden in past seasons. The Lakers, however, showcased their depth and ability to win without their potential MVP.
“This game proved the Lakers are deep enough and have a strong supporting cast to win games even when the star isn’t playing,” Lambert explained.
What does this mean for the playoffs?
With a 46-26 record, Los Angeles sits in third place in the Western Conference, trailing only the Oklahoma City Thunder and the San Antonio Spurs. This record guarantees them at least a spot in the play-in tournament.
If the standings hold, the Lakers would face the Houston Rockets in the opening round of the postseason.
Last year, Los Angeles was eliminated in the first round, largely due to a lack of roster depth. This season, however, that weakness appears to have been addressed, putting the rest of the NBA on notice.
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