The Memphis Grizzlies showcased their superiority over the Los Angeles Lakers in a 131-114 victory on Wednesday night, riding on the back of a superb performance from Ja Morant, Jaylen Wells, and Jaren Jackson Jr.
Morant Leaves the Court with Hamstring Concerns
Ja Morant, who had been instrumental in amassing 20 points, was forced to leave the game in the third quarter due to a right hamstring injury. The extent of his injury remains uncertain. Despite his exit, rookies Jaylen Wells and Jaren Jackson Jr. stepped up, delivering 20 points apiece to bolster the Grizzlies’ scoreline.
LeBron James’ Valiant Effort Falls Short
LeBron James led the Lakers’ offense with a commendable 39 points, but the absence of key players impacted the team’s performance. Austin Reaves managed to add 19 points, albeit with a poor 2 for 9 record from the 3-point line.
Lakers Suffer from Missing Personnel
The Lakers were without their starting center Anthony Davis, who was sidelined due to left heel soreness. His absence left a significant void, as the team was without Davis’ average contribution of 32.6 points and 11.6 rebounds per game. Rui Hachimura was also out due to illness, giving rookie Dalton Knect from Tennessee an opportunity for his inaugural NBA start.
Grizzlies Triumph Despite Coaching Absence
In the face of adversity, the Grizzlies pulled through. Their coach, Taylor Jenkins, was absent due to a family bereavement. In his stead, Assistant Coach Tuomas Iisalo took the reins and guided the team to victory.
Key Takeaways and Upcoming Fixtures
The absence of Davis proved advantageous for the Grizzlies, who managed to stick to their average of scoring 60 points in the paint. The key moment came when the Grizzlies, leading 72-68 in the third quarter, saw reserve Jay Huff score three consecutive 3-pointers, followed by a reverse dunk off an offensive rebound. This rally extended the Grizzlies’ lead to 85-71.
When it came to 3-point shooting, the Grizzlies outperformed the Lakers, with a shooting average of 48% at the midpoint of the fourth period, compared to the Lakers’ 25%.
Looking ahead, the Lakers will host Philadelphia on Friday, while the Grizzlies will entertain Washington.
