- Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Washington Wizards 134-96 on the road, climbing to fifth place in the Western Conference with a 27-19 record
- LeBron James recorded a double-double with 24 points and 11 assists, while Rui Hachimura scored 22 points, and Shake Milton added 21 off the bench
- The Lakers built a 33-point halftime lead, with the second half becoming a formality as head coach JJ Redick rotated his squad
Key Takeaways:
Los Angeles Lakers cruised to a 134-96 victory over the Washington Wizards in an NBA regular-season game. LeBron James led the way with 24 points and 11 assists, as head coach JJ Redick made full use of his rotation.
Team Win pic.twitter.com/dMJ6P1E8zu
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) January 31, 2025
Washington started strong, taking a 13-11 lead, but the Lakers responded with a 12-2 run, pulling ahead 23-15. By the end of the first quarter, the visitors had built a 13-point advantage. The Lakers dominated the second quarter, leaving no chance for their opponents. By the midway point of the period, they led 57-35, and by halftime, the difference had grown to 33 points at 78-45.
With the outcome effectively decided, the second half saw more minutes for the Lakers’ bench players. Despite the rotations, the visitors won both the third and fourth quarters, 27-25 and 29-26, securing a commanding victory. LeBron James was rested in the fourth quarter, allowing his son, Bronny James, to enter the game, finishing with a career-high five points.
Rui Hachimura contributed 22 points, while Shake Milton came off the bench to add 21. Jordan Poole led the Wizards with 19 points, and Kyle Kuzma finished with 13.
The Lakers improved to 27-19, moving into fifth place in the Western Conference, while the Wizards remain at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with just six wins in 47 games.