Luka Doncic’s First-Half Triple-Double Powers Lakers Past Wizards
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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Luka Doncic delivered a dominant triple-double in just 31 minutes on Friday night, guiding the Los Angeles Lakers to a 142-111 victory over the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena.
The 26-year-old guard, listed as questionable after spraining his ankle two days earlier, showed no lingering effects. Doncic piled up 26 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists before halftime and finished with 37 points, 13 assists, 11 boards and three steals. The performance lifted Los Angeles to 29-18 on the season and snapped the team’s brief one-game skid.
Los Angeles seized control early. Doncic and LeBron James connected with Deandre Ayton for a pair of alley-oops, then each knocked down a three-pointer to open a 19-11 lead. By the end of the first quarter, sparked by three Jaxson Hayes dunks set up by Doncic, the Lakers were in front 41-27.
The margin ballooned in the second period. James hammered home a left-handed alley-oop from Ayton, and Doncic rewarded Ayton’s rim runs with back-to-back dunks. The Lakers entered intermission up 77-48, their largest halftime advantage of the season.
Washington never threatened after the break. Los Angeles stretched the lead to 38 in the third quarter, highlighted by a reverse alley-oop from James, and carried a 108-84 cushion into the fourth. Coach Darvin Ham’s reserves maintained the gap, allowing the starters extended rest at the close of the Lakers’ six-game trip.
Up Next
The Lakers wrap up their longest road swing of the year at Madison Square Garden against the New York Knicks on Sunday, then face the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday before returning to Los Angeles.
Source: LakersNation.com
