LeBron's 50 points helps Lakers coast past Wizards.
After scoring 56 points in the Lakers' last home game versus the Warriors, LeBron James put on another 50 point outing within a week, scoring 50 points to help the Lakers coast past the Washington Wizards 124–116, giving the Lakers their 29th win of the season to improve their record to 29–37.
The Lakers' big second half was the focal point of tonight’s win, scoring 70 total points in both quarters combined to the Wizard’s 50.
With the fight for a playoff spot heating up, LeBron’s 50 points may have given the Lakers (hopefully) another boost to start a push late in the season as each game becomes increasingly critical to the standings.
In his 50 point outing, LeBron finished with an insane 72% (18-for-25) shooting on just 25 total attempts, finishing 6 for 9 (67%) from three while adding 7 rebounds and 6 assists in 38 minutes of action.
Head coach Frank Vogel praised LeBron’s 56 point outing, saying: “The league has never seen a player at this stage of his career doing what he’s doing. That needs to be recognized. It’s unbelievable.”
In tonight's win, Malik Monk was the second-leading scorer, being part of the closing lineup in the 4th quarter, finishing with 21 points on 67% (6-for-12) shooting overall, adding 4 assists and 3 rebounds in 29 minutes of action.
Playing on a grade-2 ankle sprain, Talen Horton-Tucker finished with 15 points off the Lakers bench with 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals in 30 minutes.
Horton-Tucker spoke on his ankle sprain, saying: “I had a grade-2 sprain, so I’m still dealing with it, it’s still painful, but I’m trying play through it.”
The Lakers’ next matchup comes on the road this Sunday against the team to beat in the West, the Phoenix Suns, who sit at the top at 53–14 on the season and will be a must-see matchup in a test to see how the Lakers compete against a top contender.