:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/53957137/usa_today_9978883.0.jpg)
The Los Angeles Lakers decided to leave their tank in the garage until the fourth quarter Tuesday, giving the Washington Wizards a scare in a 119-108 loss. The third-best team in the Eastern Conference gave up 95 points to the Lakers through three quarters, led by a strong effort from D’Angelo Russell, but LA couldn’t seal the deal.
The Wizards came out hot, piling on a 20-8 lead early in the first quarter but the opening frame ended with both teams knotted up at 27. The Lakers found themselves in a game they almost let get away in the first few minutes, and off they went.
It was in the third quarter where the purple and gold made its move, with a near-perfect 12 minutes of basketball. They made 15 of their 16 field goals in the third quarter, looking primed to claim their 22nd win of the season.
The Wizards opened the fourth quarter with a 11-0 run, turning what was a comfortable lead for the Lakers rather uncomfortable. It took the Lakers roughly six minutes to blow a 15-point lead, and the Wizards hit knockout blow after knockout blow to finally lay the Lakers down for the count.
John Wall was unstoppable on offense, scoring a game-high 34 points while also leading the game with 14 assists. With Wall slicing and dicing to create offense for Washington, five Wizards reached double-digits in scoring with both Otto Porter and Bradley Beal chipping in 16.
Russell finished the night with a team-high 28 points, dishing out nine assists along the way. Jordan Clarkson scored 22 points, while Julius Randle notched five assists but scored just six points.
Everything fell apart in the fourth quarter, where the Lakers were outscored 37-13, and it was another loss in the books. They travel to Minnesota to face the Timberwolves on Thursday.