LOS ANGELES — In an exciting matchup on Wednesday night, LeBron James delivered an impressive performance, securing his third consecutive triple-double with 35 points, 14 assists, and 12 rebounds, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 128-123 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Anthony Davis also played a crucial role, contributing 21 points, with 11 of those coming in the fourth quarter. After picking up his fifth foul with just under four minutes remaining in the third period, he re-entered the game with 6:48 left on the clock. Davis hit several significant shots, including a key 3-pointer with 4:51 to go that put the Lakers in the lead at 111-108, a position they would not relinquish.
James demonstrated remarkable efficiency, hitting 13 of 22 attempts from the field and making 4 out of 7 from beyond the arc. For the Grizzlies, Jaren Jackson Jr. led the scoring with 29 points, but the team’s three-game winning streak was ultimately halted.
The Lakers came into the final quarter trailing 96-91 but quickly turned the tide with a strong 10-2 run. The lead exchanged hands several times before Davis nailed his crucial 3-pointer, and he also recorded 14 rebounds during the game.
Some noteworthy takeaways include the Grizzlies achieving a feat of seven players scoring in double figures for the fourth straight game. Marcus Smart made a successful return after missing six contests due to an ankle injury, contributing 14 points to the effort.
On the Lakers’ side, this victory marked their first 6-0 start at home since the 2010-11 season. This achievement underscores their strong performance in front of their home crowd.
In a significant milestone, Davis reached 18,000 career points during the first quarter, becoming the 80th player in NBA history to achieve this landmark and the 12th to also accumulate at least 7,000 rebounds and 1,500 blocks since the 1973-74 season.
A noteworthy statistic from the game highlighted the Lakers’ shooting prowess, as they set a new season high by sinking 20 three-pointers. Rookie Dalton Knecht was especially impressive, making all five of his attempts from long range.
Looking ahead, both teams will face off in NBA Cup games on Friday night, with the Grizzlies heading to Golden State while the Lakers will travel to take on San Antonio.