Anthony Davis Leads Lakers Past Grizzlies in Thrilling Victory
Anthony Davis overcame an injury scare to tie his season highs with 40 points and 16 rebounds, propelling the Los Angeles Lakers to a hard-fought 116-110 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday night.
The Lakers benefited from solid contributions across the board. Austin Reaves added 19 points and eight assists, while LeBron James, returning after a two-game absence due to a foot injury, tallied 18 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists in a strong all-around performance.
The Grizzlies, who saw their four-game winning streak snapped, were led by Jaren Jackson Jr. with 25 points before he fouled out late in the game. Ja Morant contributed 20 points, seven rebounds, and six assists but struggled with efficiency, shooting just 6-for-21 from the field and committing seven turnovers.
Davis gave the Lakers a scare in the third quarter when he collided with Memphis center Zach Edey while battling for a rebound and retreated to the locker room clutching his left shoulder. However, he returned early in the fourth quarter, sparking the team by scoring seven consecutive points and sealing the win for Los Angeles.
LeBron James set the tone early, energizing the crowd with a thunderous dunk and a chase-down block on Desmond Bane in the opening minutes. The Lakers dominated the first quarter, jumping out to a 30-20 lead behind Davis’ 12 points and seven rebounds. The Grizzlies endured a dismal shooting start, going just 5-for-20 in what was their lowest-scoring first quarter of the season.
The Lakers extended their lead in the second quarter, using a 10-0 run capped by a three-pointer from Reaves to take a commanding 44-29 advantage. Davis posted a double-double before halftime, racking up 22 points and 10 rebounds as Los Angeles entered intermission with a comfortable 64-46 lead.
Memphis mounted a spirited comeback in the third quarter, capitalizing on Davis’ brief absence to cut a 23-point deficit to just five by the end of the period. Ja Morant’s reverse layup brought the Grizzlies within seven points at 105-98 with just over five minutes left in the game, but the Lakers managed to hold off the late charge with clutch defense and timely scoring.
The victory marked a statement performance for Davis, whose resilience and dominance highlighted the Lakers’ determination to keep pace in a competitive Western Conference.
