The Los Angeles Lakers improved their record to 7-4 this season with a 128-123 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. This win helps the Lakers improve their position in the standings to No. 6, sitting half a game behind both the Denver Nuggets and Houston Rockets ahead of them.
LeBron James ended the night with 35 points (13-22 FG), 12 rebounds, and 14 assists to notch his third consecutive triple-double, becoming the oldest player in NBA history to achieve this feat. Anthony Davis put up 21 points (6-16 FG), 14 rebounds, and three blocks. Rui Hachimura contributed with 19 points (6-7 FG) and seven rebounds while Austin Reaves had 18 points (5-14 FG) and six assists.
Fans reacted to the Lakers win and LeBron’s incredible performance.
“LeBron with another night where I can’t believe this is really happening. Not just the stat line but the effort, especially in the 4th,” said Ryen Russillo on James’ leading the Lakers to this win.
“LeBron James has 30 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds for his third straight triple-double and fourth of the season through 11 games. Last year, he had five in 71 games,” said ESPN’s Dave McMenamin on LeBron breaking his own record as the oldest player to notch three consecutive triple-doubles.
“I hate that I have to say this every time. But LeBron James is simply the greatest basketball player of all time. It’s nothing your fav player can say or do to change that,” said one fan in awe of LeBron’s performance.
“You’ve never watched a player greater than LeBron James in your life—if you think you have, you’re just kidding yourself,” said another fan.
“We’ll never see another LeBron in our lifetime. appreciate this,” were the thoughts of one fan.
“Every LeBron shot seems to be rolling out and he’s made some stupid passes trying to force the issue to get ad going tonight look up and he’s got 32/11/13 on 70% in 33 minutes,” said one fan who couldn’t believe James’ statline.
“Being a LeBron hater must be exhausting. He’s never slowing down,” said one fan who can’t believe LeBron consistently disproving his haters with every season he plays.
The Grizzlies were led by Jaren Jackson Jr. putting up 29 points (10-20 FG) and seven rebounds. Three Grizzlies players had 15 points with Marcus Smart (3-5 FG), Santi Aldama (6-14 FG), and former Laker Scotty Pippen Jr. (6-14 FG) all trying to hand the Lakers the upset loss. Zach Edey (3-8 FG) and Luke Kennard (4-7 FG) had 12 points apiece.
Anthony Davis came into this game with an eye injury sustained in the Lakers’ win over the Toronto Raptors. He looked compromised, often covering his face on the bench due to discomfort from the bright lights and looking uncharacteristically cautious on the court. Despite his slow night, LeBron made the difference with his monster performance to lead the Lakers to the win.
The Grizzlies are dealing with another injury crisis on their roster, entering this game without Ja Morant, Brandon Clarke, Vince Williams Jr, Desmond Bane, Cam Spencer, and GG Jackson II. They fought hard to test the Lakers but lacked the talent to pull the win out down the stretch.
The Lakers open their NBA Cup defense in their next game against the San Antonio Spurs on the road while the Grizzlies take on the red-hot Golden State Warriors on the road.
