There was no shortage of drama at Crypto.com Arena on Friday night as the Los Angeles Lakers, led by Luka Doncic and LeBron James, mounted a late charge to overcome the shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies, notching a 128-121 victory to kick off a two-game set between the squads. For fans in the building, it was a night of momentum swings, highlight-reel plays, and a fourth quarter that saw two of the NBA’s biggest stars rise to the occasion when it mattered most.
Luka Doncic poured in 34 points—remarkably, half of those coming from the free throw line—while also dishing out eight assists and pulling down six rebounds. LeBron James, ever the ageless wonder, chipped in 31 points on 12-of-18 shooting, grabbed nine boards, and handed out six assists of his own. The pair’s combined 65 points proved too much for a Memphis squad already fighting an uphill battle without six key players, including the towering Zach Edey.
Despite the Grizzlies’ depleted roster, they showed remarkable resilience and depth. Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 25 points, shooting an impressive 12-for-15 from the field. Former Laker Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, now donning Grizzlies blue, added 20 points, including several clutch three-pointers that kept Memphis within striking distance. Ja Morant, fresh off a 40-point outing in an overtime loss to Philadelphia earlier in the week, finished with 16 points and 11 assists, orchestrating the offense and keeping the Lakers honest throughout the contest.
The game was a roller coaster from the opening tip. The Lakers burst out of the gate, building a 15-point cushion in the second quarter. But just when it looked like Los Angeles might cruise to a comfortable win, the Grizzlies responded with a stunning 18-0 run. The surge, fueled by Caldwell-Pope’s sharpshooting and a flurry of buckets from Jock Landale, saw Memphis seize their first lead of the night, flipping the script and injecting real suspense into the contest.
Jake LaRavia was a revelation for the Lakers, tallying 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting and collecting nine rebounds. His energy and shot-making provided a vital spark, particularly during stretches when the Lakers’ offense sputtered. LaRavia’s presence on the boards also helped the Lakers secure a 51-44 advantage in total rebounds, a key factor in a game that was often decided by second-chance opportunities and hustle plays.
The back-and-forth battle reached a fever pitch late in the third quarter. Caldwell-Pope, clearly relishing his return to Los Angeles, drilled back-to-back three-pointers to erase a Lakers lead and knot the score at 96 heading into the final period. The Grizzlies, despite missing so many regulars, had six players finish in double figures, a testament to their depth and determination.
But as the fourth quarter unfolded, the Lakers’ star power began to shine through. Doncic and James took command, orchestrating a decisive 12-2 run that swung the momentum squarely in Los Angeles’ favor. Doncic scored four points during the spurt and found open shooters for a pair of three-pointers, while James capped the run with a powerful driving basket that brought the crowd to its feet. That sequence proved to be the turning point, putting the game out of reach for Memphis and allowing the Lakers to control the closing minutes.
“We just stayed poised and trusted each other,” James said after the game, his jersey still damp from the effort. “Luka and I knew we had to step up, especially with the way Memphis was fighting. Credit to them—they never quit. But we made the right plays when it counted.”
Doncic echoed his teammate’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of resilience. “It’s the NBA—no lead is ever safe,” he noted. “We had to keep attacking and stay aggressive, especially after they made that big run. Our guys responded, and that’s what matters.”
Memphis head coach, facing a daunting injury list, praised his team’s effort. “We had guys step up all over the floor,” he said. “Jaren [Jackson Jr.] was fantastic, and KCP gave us a huge lift. It’s tough to come up short, but I’m proud of the way we competed.”
The Lakers’ victory was built not just on star power but also on efficiency and execution. Los Angeles shot a sizzling 58.4% from the field, compared to Memphis’ 47.9%. They converted 27 of 31 free throws (an 87.1% clip), a critical edge considering how often Doncic found himself at the charity stripe. The Lakers also out-rebounded the Grizzlies by seven and managed to overcome 20 turnovers with timely defense and clutch shooting in the final stretch.
For Memphis, the loss marked their fourth in six games and pushed them two games under .500 on the road. Still, the performance of their bench and role players—Landale’s 14 points, Santi Aldama’s 15, and GG Jackson’s 12—offered reasons for optimism as the team looks to get healthy and regroup for the next matchup.
Ja Morant’s double-double, coming just one night after his 40-point explosion, highlighted his growing consistency as both a scorer and facilitator. His chemistry with Jackson Jr. and Caldwell-Pope was evident, particularly during the Grizzlies’ second-quarter run and their late push to stay within striking distance.
The two teams won’t have to wait long for a rematch. They’ll square off again in Los Angeles on Sunday, giving both sides a chance to make adjustments and, perhaps, settle the score. With the Lakers riding high and the Grizzlies eager for payback, fans can expect another hard-fought contest between two Western Conference teams with playoff aspirations.
As the dust settled Friday night, one thing was clear: when Luka Doncic and LeBron James turn it on, few teams can match their firepower. The Grizzlies may have been short-handed, but their heart and hustle made this a game to remember. With another showdown looming, the rivalry is only just heating up.