WASHINGTON — Luka Doncic could do no wrong in the nation’s capital.
And the perpetually struggling Washington Wizards didn’t stand a chance against the offensive onslaught Doncic and the Lakers brought with them inside Capital One Arena, where the Lakers picked up a 142-111 win to continue a strong eight-game “Grammy” trip.
Doncic was in full control of Friday’s game from the moment he first touched the ball.
The Lakers’ first possession: Doncic assisting Deandre Ayton, whose declining usage and production has been under significant scrutiny as of late, on a layup that started one of Ayton’s best performances since November.
Doncic’s first shot: a nine-foot floater that set the tone for the remainder of the game.
Because regardless of the problems the hapless Wizards tried to present, Doncic and the Lakers had the answer.
Force Doncic to pick up his dribble with a double team right after he crosses halfcourt after he scored 16 points in the opening 9 ½ minutes? He responded with an effortless pass that flew by four Wizards defenders to assist Jarred Vanderbilt on a dunk that gave the Lakers a 40-22 lead.
Provide a strong contest and get Doncic off-balance on a pull-up 3-pointer with strong iso defense like Washington guard Jamir Watkins did late in the second quarter? Doncic will bank in the 3 to loud cheers from the crowd.
The result was Doncic having his sixth triple-double of the season with 37 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds.
Ayton finished with a 28 point-13 rebound double-double, shooting 85.7% (12-of-14) from the field.
LeBron James added 20 points and six assists.
What it means
The Lakers not only improved to 29-18, but they also expect to get Austin Reaves back sometime within the next two games, furthering their offensive onslaught.
Turning point
The moment Doncic stepped onto the court.
Seriously.
The Wizards looked helpless trying to figure out how to slow down the MVP candidate.
Doncic had 16 points, seven assists and seven rebounds in the opening quarter, making the game uncompeitive from the outset.
The Lakers not only led by double digits since midway through the opening quarter, but had at least a 20-point lead for the entire second half.
MVP: Luka Doncic
When you make positive history for a storied franchise like the Lakers, this honor becomes easy.
Doncic became the first Laker to record a triple-double in a single half with his 26 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists in the opening two quarters at Washington.
It was the second time in his career Doncic recorded a single-half triple-double, with the first coming on Dec. 6, 2023, while he was with the Mavericks.
Stat of the game: First half triple-double
Doncic posted a triple-double… in the first half. In 19 minutes, he put up 26 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists.
It was the second time of the play-by-play era (1997-98) that a player recorded a 25+ point triple double in the first half.
The only other person to do it?
Doncic in 2023 when with the Mavericks.
Up next
After bouncing around the country for the last 1½ weeks, the Lakers will be able to be settled for a few days.
They’ll travel to New York for matchups against the Knicks and Nets on Sunday and Tuesday, respectively, to close out their eight-game trip.
