Lakers beat Grizzlies as LeBron sets new NBA record

The Los Angeles Lakers edged the Memphis Grizzlies 128-123 in a thrilling game.

The Lakers hosted the Grizzlies in what seemed to be a payback after suffering defeat by the Grizzlies in Memphis last week.

Anthony Davis missed that game but was back in action for Los Angeles, while Ja Morant was out due to a hip injury. And as a result, L. A was able to enact their revenge, clinching a close 128-123 win to improve their record to 7-4 this season.

LeBron James had his third straight triple-double as he beat his own record to become the oldest player with three straight triple-double games in the NBA. James set this record initially in 2019 at 34 years, 310 days which was held by Jason Kidd, who reached three straight at 34 years, 291 days. He also set a new record, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to record 35 or more points and five or more three-pointers in a single game.

Lakers got off to a nice start following back-to-back triples by Rui Hachimura and Cam Reddish, Reaves also getting in on the action and Hachimura hitting another to put the lakers up by 16-7. Reaves was playing spectacularly at the start of the game, coming up with a steal and a beautiful layup, and also getting his teammates involved in the game. The Lakers led the game 38-26 at the end of the first-quarter following back-to-back triples by LeBron James, including a buzzer beater.

However, the Grizzlies fought back, Scotty Pippen Jr. being fueling their offense as Lakers committed some costly turnovers. Grizzlies went on an 11-2 run to close the gap to 62-59 against the Lakers, Cam Reddish missing two free throws during that stretch. The Lakers led at Halftime, Grizzlies closing the lead up to a point game. LeBron James scored 20 points and provided 6 assists. Anthony Davis contributed 3 blocks and 8 rebounds.

The Grizzlies continued their strong form into the third quarter scoring eight straight points before a three-point play by LeBron. Luke Kennard converted a triple to put his team up by 8 points, JJ Redick called a much needed timeout for L.A.

Anthony Davis soon picked up his fourth and fifth foul, eventually heading to the bench.
With both Davis and James on the bench, the Los Angeles Lakers needed a spark to close the third quarter and they got it from Dalton Knecht, who got hot and closed the gap to 96-91 going into the fourth.

Dalton Knecht’s crazy run continued into the fourth, drilling another 3. He then found Christian Koloko for an alley-oop to tie it at 96.

LeBron James went into attack mode, regaining the lead for the Lakers as the game remained close, going into the final stretch.

After 9 minutes on the bench due to fouls, Davis returned to the game, immediately hitting a big triple. The Lakers began to take control as James threw down a thunderous dunk, Davis burying another 3. LeBron finished the game with an amazing triple-double performance. Scoring 35 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds from 37 minutes.

James said at full time after being asked how they managed to get themselves back in the game after Davis fouled out and how it was to put himself back in the Point Guard Mindset.

He said, “We leaned on Dalton Knecht. AD got on foul trouble, and our first round pick went on a hot streak, like he was back in Tennessee. We leaned on him, and I just tried to sprinkle in a couple of plays here and there.

“I’ve been doing it my whole career, to be able to play multiple positions and whatever the team needs at that point in time, I’m able to kind of go into that, if it’s point guard, if it’s playing center, is it’s set, pick and roll that time, if it’s the fourth position,but whatever the team needs at that time I just try to be there for them and be on target.”

The Lakers have started the season with three wins, and then cooled off after losing four in a five-game spell. However, they got back to winning ways last week, backing up victories against 76ers and Raptors.

“I guess it’s continuing to play better, play as a team, continuing to trust each other, defensively continuing to get back in transition, clean glass, offensively don’t turn the ball over. I know I had five or six of that tonight so I got to better with that, especially if the ball’s going to be on my hands, but the trajectory in the right direction, we just want to continue to play the game like that.”

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