The Lakers pulled off a nail-biting victory against the Grizzlies, but was it a sign of things to come, or just a lucky break? The final score: 120-114. And the real story lies in how they clawed their way back from a significant deficit. Let's dive into the details.
In a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats, Luka Doncic led the charge for the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night, January 4, 2026, notching an impressive 36 points, along with nine rebounds and eight assists. But here's the thing: it wasn't a one-man show. NBA legend LeBron James contributed a solid 26 points and 10 assists, proving that even in his later years, he's still a force to be reckoned with. Together, they spearheaded the Lakers' comeback, securing a hard-fought 120-114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Adding to the Lakers' triumph, Jake LaRavia had a noteworthy performance against his former team, also scoring 26 points. Deandre Ayton chipped in with 15 points, solidifying the Lakers' dominance on their home court. This victory marked their second consecutive home win against the Grizzlies in just three days, a welcome change after a rough patch where they lost four of their previous five games. Talk about a momentum shift!
On the Grizzlies' side, Jaylen Wells put up a valiant effort with 23 points. Rookie Cedric Coward also shone brightly, scoring 16 points and grabbing nine rebounds, all in the first half. And this is the part most people miss: Coward's momentum was abruptly halted when an ankle injury sidelined him for the entire second half. Could his continued presence have changed the game's outcome? It's a question that Grizzlies fans are undoubtedly asking themselves.
Veteran Jaren Jackson Jr. added 14 points for Memphis, while Jock Landale contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds. Despite their efforts, the Grizzlies ultimately succumbed to their fourth consecutive loss. To make matters worse, Memphis was without their star guard Ja Morant, who was sidelined for the 15th time in the past 21 games due to a nagging calf injury. Some argue that Morant's absence is the single biggest factor in the Grizzlies' recent struggles. But here's where it gets controversial... is the team too reliant on him?
The Lakers' comeback was truly a sight to behold. Trailing by 11 points with under three minutes left in the third quarter, they mounted an impressive 8-2 run to close the gap, entering the final quarter down by just four points (87-83).
LaRavia's driving layup tied the game at 92-92 with 7:14 remaining, and another layup moments later gave the Lakers their first lead since the opening quarter, at 94-92. The lead then changed hands several times in a tense back-and-forth battle. However, Doncic's pull-up jumper with 5:12 remaining put the Lakers ahead for good at 100-99. Back-to-back three-pointers from Doncic then extended the Lakers' lead to 112-103 with just over two minutes left, effectively sealing the victory.
It's worth noting that the Lakers achieved this victory despite being without key players Rui Hachimura (calf) for the third straight game and Austin Reaves (calf) for the fourth consecutive game. Their absence highlights the depth and resilience of the Lakers' roster.
Looking ahead, the Grizzlies will be back home to face the San Antonio Spurs on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Lakers will hit the road to take on the New Orleans Pelicans, also on Tuesday.
So, what do you think? Was this Lakers victory a testament to their skill and determination, or did the Grizzlies' injuries and Morant's absence play too significant a role? Do the Lakers have what it takes to make a deep playoff run? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
