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John Wall Casts Spell on Lakers as Wizards Win

John Wall had 40 points and 14 assists as the Washington Wizards cast a spell over the Los Angeles Lakers, 128-110, on Sunday night at Capital One Arena.

Expelliarmus!

John Wall had 40 points and 14 assists as the Washington Wizards cast a spell over the Los Angeles Lakers, 128-110, on Sunday night at Capital One Arena.

Wall dominated the jet-lagged Lakers, joining Gilbert Arenas as the only other Wizards player to have 25 or more points and five or more assists in the first half. 

"I know all the Lakers fans out there probably was upset," Wall told the media after witnessing a large number of fans in D.C. wearing Lakers jerseys.

Washington scored 71 points, tied for the most allowed by the Lakers in a half this season, as they led by 20 at the break. 

Los Angeles simply couldn't muster the strength and energy to mount the comeback in the second half, waving the white flag by sitting superstar LeBron James with over seven minutes left in the game.

James struggled from the field on the second night of a back-to-back, shooting 5-of-16 from the field for just 13 points and six rebounds. 

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"We're a team that's built on energy and depth," James told reporters after the loss. "We didn't have either tonight."

It was only 24 hours earlier that the Lakers made history when both James and Lonzo Ball recorded triple-doubles in a blowout win over the Charlotte Hornets. However, a day later it was Kentavious Caldwell-Pope who led the Lakers with a team-high 25 points off the bench. 

Four different players on the Wizards scored 20 or more points with Bradley Beal scoring 25, and Sam Dekker and Jeff Green each chipping in 20 apiece.

"When he gets going," Dekker told reporters of Wall, "it really sets the tone for us."

But none of them were better than Wall, who has had to endure an up and down season so far, but it all came together in front of the King and his royal court. 

Wall did it all on Sunday night, attacked the rim, played defense, no-look passes, through-the-leg assists, and a dramatic step-back buzzer beater.

Notes and Next

The Wizards were shorthanded as Dwight Howard was out after undergoing back surgery as was starting forward Otto Porter Jr. Aditionally, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Austin Rivers also were unavailable after being traded to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday.

JaVale McGee missed the game with flu-like symptoms. The Lakers will complete their four-game road trip in Brooklyn on Tuesday against the Nets.

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