LeBron James Makes History with Third Straight Triple-Double—But Did the Lakers’ Win Hang by a Thread?
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LeBron James continued his historic run with his third straight triple-double, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 128-123 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. James was instrumental in the win, recording 35 points, 14 assists, and 12 rebounds, showcasing his all-around dominance on the court.
The Lakers, who were trailing 96-91 at the end of the third quarter, mounted a strong comeback in the final period. Anthony Davis, who had 21 points overall, contributed 11 crucial points in the fourth quarter. After picking up his fifth foul with just under four minutes left in the third quarter, Davis returned to action with 6:48 remaining and quickly made an impact. He hit a key 3-pointer at the 4:51 mark, giving the Lakers a 111-108 lead, a lead they would not relinquish.
James had an efficient shooting night, going 13-of-22 from the field, including 4-of-7 from three-point range. Rookie Dalton Knecht and Rui Hachimura added 19 points each, further bolstering the Lakers’ offensive attack.
Memphis’ Strong Effort Falls Short
Despite a strong performance from Jaren Jackson Jr., who led Memphis with 29 points, the Grizzlies saw their three-game winning streak come to an end. Memphis had seven players in double figures for the fourth consecutive game, continuing their balanced offensive approach. Marcus Smart made his return after missing six games due to an ankle injury and contributed 14 points.
However, the Grizzlies’ late-game struggles, especially in the fourth quarter, prevented them from holding onto their lead. The Lakers’ 10-2 run to start the quarter helped shift the momentum in Los Angeles’ favor. The lead would change hands multiple times before Davis’ decisive 3-pointer put the Lakers ahead for good.
Key Moments and Stats
A milestone moment for Davis came in the first quarter, when he reached 18,000 career points with a layup at the 7:51 mark. He became the 80th player in NBA history to reach this significant achievement and the 12th player since 1973-74 to also have at least 7,000 rebounds and 1,500 blocks, solidifying his place in NBA history.
The Lakers also set a new season high for three-pointers made, with 20 successful shots from beyond the arc. Knecht was perfect from three-point range, making all five of his attempts. This strong perimeter shooting helped propel the Lakers past the Grizzlies in a thrilling back-and-forth matchup.
Takeaways
Grizzlies: Memphis had seven players in double figures, continuing their trend of balanced scoring. Marcus Smart’s return was positive, but it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
Lakers: Los Angeles remains unbeaten at home, improving to 6-0 for the first time since the 2010-11 season. James’ consistent triple-double performances and Davis’ clutch plays were key to their victory.
The Lakers’ win, fueled by stellar individual performances and team efforts, keeps them rolling as one of the league’s most dangerous teams. With LeBron James at the helm and Anthony Davis providing support, the Lakers are positioning themselves for a strong season ahead.
