LeBron James showcased his remarkable talent once again, achieving his third consecutive triple-double with an impressive tally of 35 points, 14 assists, and 12 rebounds. His outstanding performance propelled the Los Angeles Lakers to a thrilling 128-123 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.
In a pivotal moment, Anthony Davis stepped up, contributing 11 of his 21 points during the fourth quarter. After facing a challenging situation with five fouls late in the third quarter, he returned to the game with 6:48 remaining and delivered crucial baskets, including a decisive 3-pointer that secured the lead for Los Angeles at 111-108.
James displayed his shooting prowess, going 13 for 22 from the field and sinking 4 of 7 attempts from beyond the arc, further solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s top players.
For the Grizzlies, Jaren Jackson Jr. led the scoring with 29 points, but the team’s three-game winning streak came to an end.
The Lakers also saw contributions from rookie Dalton Knecht and Rui Hachimura, who each added 19 points to the scoreboard, demonstrating the team’s depth and versatility.
Takeaways
Grizzlies: Memphis showcased impressive balance with seven players reaching double figures for the fourth consecutive game. Marcus Smart made a notable return after missing six games due to an ankle injury, contributing 14 points.
Lakers: Los Angeles celebrated a perfect 6-0 record at home, marking their best start at home since the 2010-11 season, highlighting their strong performance on their home court.
Key moment
Davis reached a significant milestone during the game, scoring his 18,000th career point with a layup at the 7:51 mark in the first quarter. He became the 80th player in NBA history to achieve this feat, joining an elite group of players who have also recorded at least 7,000 rebounds and 1,500 blocks since the 1973-74 season.
Key stat
The Lakers set a new season high by making 20 three-pointers during the game, with Knecht impressively hitting all five of his attempts from long range, showcasing the team’s shooting efficiency.
Up next
Looking ahead, both teams are set to compete in NBA Cup games on Friday night. The Grizzlies will face off against the Golden State Warriors, while the Lakers will travel to take on the San Antonio Spurs.