Following his team’s 102-99 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, an outcome that followed waves of pre-game trash talk, Washington Wizards point guard John Wall praised Lonzo Ball and suggested the rookie’s outspoken father won’t significantly deter his prowess this season — pointing out that he’s more conditioned to the LaVar Ball spectacle than the rest of the NBA.

Before the game, Wall said LaVar’s antics could be a “gift and a curse," but was more toned down and optimistic with his assessment of Lonzo after the game.

Overtime:Lakers hand Wizards first loss

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“He’s a quiet kid who doesn’t say too much,” Wall told ESPN. “He’s been dealing with (LaVar’s outlandish comments) his whole life. It doesn’t bother him. It’s just new to everybody else.

“He can pass, can score the ball — he just wasn’t making shots tonight.”

Ball struggled shooting from the floor for the third time in four games this season, going 2-for-11 and missing all five attempts from beyond the arc. But his 10 assists, and eight rebounds — including a board and length-of-the-court assist with 20 seconds left to help force overtime — proved to be a major difference-maker. Ball struggled in spurts against Wall defensively, but collaboratively the Lakers were able to contain the All-Star point guard.

“I thought tonight was our best defensive night all year,” Ball said postgame. “We were all playing for one another.”

Wall, who finished with 18 points and nine assists, said he was motivated by LaVar’s taunts earlier this week to the Wizards to “beware.” To that, Wizards big man Marcin Gortat tweeted that Wall would “torture” Ball, while Wall himself said he planned to show “no mercy.”

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