Lakers (28-18) vs. Wizards (12-34) | Game 47 of 82
WHERE TO WATCH AND WHAT TIME
Location: Capital One Arena — Washington, D.C.
Radio: ESPN LA 710 / 1330 KWKW
The Lakers continue their longest road trip of the season Friday afternoon with a matchup against the Washington Wizards, marking their sixth consecutive road game.
Los Angeles enters the contest having won four of its last six games but is coming off a lopsided 129–99 loss to the Cavaliers on Wednesday in Cleveland. The game marked an emotional return for LeBron James, though the Lakers struggled to generate consistency throughout the night.
The game’s turnaround came in the third quarter — a quarter the Lakers have struggled being consistent in since forever — when the Cavs completely turned up the heat with a 42-22 quarter run to pretty much put the game away in the fourth quarter.
James finished with 11 points in 27 minutes on 3-of-10 shooting, while Luka Dončić led the team with 29 points.
Dončić was added to the injury report before their matchup in Washington with left ankle soreness after taking an awkward fall along the sideline on Cleveland’s controversial raised court. He is listed as questionable in Washington.
Austin Reaves was also upgraded to questionable and could return after missing 17 consecutive games since Christmas Day after he re-aggravated a left calf strain.
The Lakers are 28-18 and sit sixth in the Western Conference, looking to regain momentum before the final leg of the road trip.
Washington enters Friday with newfound momentum after snapping a nine-game losing streak with wins in their last two games. The Wizards are coming off a 109–99 victory over Milwaukee on Thursday.
The Wizards’ recent surge has been fueled by their young core despite having the worst-rated offense and defense in the NBA.
In Washington’s Thursday win over the Bucks, Kyshawn George led the way with a team-high 23 points, while Alex Sarr controlled the paint with a season-high 17 rebounds.
Washington’s roster has shifted in recent weeks following the trade that sent CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to Atlanta in exchange for Trae Young, who remains sidelined and is expected to be re-evaluated after the All-Star break.
Among active players, Sarr leads the team in rebounding (7.7 RPG) and blocks (2.2 BPG) while averaging 17.6 points per game. George paces the Wizards in assists (5.1 APG) and steals (1.2 SPG) while averaging 15.8 points per game. Tre Johnson (12.9 PPG) and Khris Middleton (10.2 PPG) provide additional scoring when available.
At 12-34, Washington remains near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, though its recent play reflects improved confidence and, more importantly, momentum.
NOTABLE OPPONENT RANKS AMONG THE NBA
The Wizards have the second-worst-rated offense (109.4) and defense (119.6) in the NBA. Here are their notable rankings this season:
Washington currently sits:
Opponents ranked against them:
The Wizards allow the most offensive rebounds (13.4) and overall rebounds (47) a game to opponents. They also allow the second most field goals per game at 44.1 a contest.
Luka Dončić (left ankle soreness): Questionable
Austin Reaves (left calf strain): Questionable
Adou Thiero (right MCL sprain): Out
Khris Middleton (day-to-day)
Tre Johnson (left ankle sprain): Day-to-day
Tristan Vukčević (left hamstring strain): Out
Marvin Bagley III (thoracic strain): Out
Cam Whitmore (venous condition): Out (season)
Trae Young (knee/quadriceps): Out
The Lakers will wear their black California Dream uniforms, while the Wizards will wear their City Edition uniforms.
The Lakers will conclude their eight-game road trip with a back-to-back set, traveling to New York on Sunday before finishing the trip in Brooklyn on Tuesday.