Sunday was the “John Wall Show” inside the Capital One Arena, as the Washington Wizards point guard stole the headlines with 40 points, 14 assists, six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks in a dominating 128-110 win over the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers.
The Lakers had no answer for Wall no matter the defensive coverage. He scored at will, found his teammates at some of the craziest angles, and displayed his defensive prowess.
In the process of such a brilliant game, Wall had his fair share of great plays. There was the no-look dish to Jeff Green, the bounce pass through traffic to Sam Dekker for a dunk, and the play in which he crept behind Lance Stephenson, plucking the ball away from behind that led to a monstrous dunk. All good plays, yet, they still weren’t his five best play on the night.
5. Dagger Three Leads to Curtain Call
The outcome of the game was settling when Wall drained his fourth three pointer of the night from the top that extended Washington’s lead to 126-107. The crowd erupted as Lakers head coach Luke Walton threw in the towel, calling timeout to insert the garbage time reserves. The break in the action also permitted the Wizards fans in Cap One to show their appreciation for the point guard, as he waved his hands in the air in excitement.
It was a fitting end to the night with many of Sunday’s patrons dawning Lakers’ gear and giving loud burst of cheers for the visiting team. Wall’s ovation was a stark contrast from the previous Wizards’ home game in which Celtics fans in attendance chanted “M-V-P” at Kyrie Irving in the waning moments of Washington’s overtime loss to Boston.
The Lakers fans packed the Wizards’ home arena Sunday to see LeBron James, yet were treated to a John Wall Show.
4. Block on Kyle Kuzma
Wall’s second of two blocks was an emphatic one, as he threw Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma’s pull-up into the side stands in the third quarter. Wall gave a loud scream as a deflated Kuzma looked on. It was one of the plays that crushed any glimpse of momentum for the Lakers of staging a comeback.
3. Revenge Block on Lonzo Ball
Lonzo Ball got Wall good in the second quarter, blocking his layup attempt, sending Wall to the floor in the process. It appeared Ball may have got away with a hip check, but nonetheless it was a block in the box score.
No fret, Wall got his payback on a break in which Ball leaked out ahead. What appeared to be an easy two points turned into one of Wall’s patented chase-down blocks. Wall went up with two hands and sent Ball crashing to the floor.
Ball jumped up thinking a foul should have been called but to no avail. Meanwhile, Wall stood tall letting fans know with his facial gestures that was his revenge block. Washington would outscore the Lakers 13-6 in the final two minutes or so of the half after that block to extend their lead to a massive 20 points.
2. Between-the-Legs Dime to Sam Dekker
With 14 assists, there were some good quality dishes from Wall. However, none were more impressive than his filthy dime to Dekker on the break.
Troy Brown Jr. got the steal and started the break. Wall leaked slightly ahead of Dekker on the side. Brown found Wall ahead who with one fluid motion dropped the pass between his own legs right into the hands of a breaking Dekker for the dunk.
Wall is a magnificent passer, especially on the break, and that dime to Dekker just adds to his highlight portfolio.
1. Stepback Buzzer Beat at the Half
Through it all, Wall’s best play was his stepback jumper to beat the buzzer before halftime. Wall drove to the corner off a screen, as the clock was winding down. Tyson Chandler switched with Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, but Wall got enough separation with the stepback to drain the rainbow jumper as the horn sounded.
The score gave Wall 28 points in the first half, and Washington a 71-51 lead at the break that they never relinquished. It stamped a magnificent night from the six-time All-Star and reminded everyone just how talented he can be.
