After starting the 2020-21 NBA season in a disastrous fashion, it appears that the Washington Wizards have finally found their rhythm. They are now on a five-game winning streak, having taken down the Los Angeles Lakers in a 127-124 overtime thriller on Monday night.
Things didn’t start well for the Wizards, however, as they fell into a 14-point hole at halftime. The Lakers looked like they were firing on all cylinders at that point despite missing All-Star Anthony Davis and point guard Dennis Schroder.
But thanks to a productive third quarter from stars Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal, Washington found its way back into the game. They then forced overtime, where Westbrook and Beal scored all of the Wizards’ points and carried their team to a memorable win.
After the final buzzer, Westbrook was sitting at 32 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists, while Beal scored 33 points and added three steals.
“It’s been tough, but we’ve been sticking together,” said Westbrook after the game. “That’s the main thing. If you get caught up with everything else going on, teams and players tend to come apart, but we’ve been sticking together and communicating on how to become a better team, and it’s been paying off for us.”
LeBron James, this year’s favorite for the MVP award, starred for the Lakers and had a near triple-double with 31 points, 9 rebounds, and 13 assists. He had help in Montrezl Harell, who scored his season-high 26 points.
Wizards, who started the campaign 6-17, have now improved to 11-17 and find themselves No. 13 in the East with just two games behind the No. 8 seed.
Lakers, on the other hand, are currently on a three-game losing streak. They fell to the No. 3 seed in the West with a 22-10 record.
