In a thrilling battle in Tennessee, the Los Angeles Lakers emerged victorious over the Memphis Grizzlies with a narrow 123-120 win.
Four-time NBA champion LeBron James led the charge with an impressive performance, scoring 37 points, grabbing nine rebounds, and dishing out five assists in 41 minutes of action. James also made NBA history during the game, surpassing Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant for third place on the all-time list of free throws made.
With this milestone achieved, James’s next target is Hall of Famer Moses Malone. James is having another stellar season, averaging 25.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, with impressive shooting percentages of 41.3% from three-point range and 54.0% from the field.
LeBron James & Co. Crashed Playoff Hope for the Grizzlies
The Lakers, with a 46-35 record after 81 games, currently hold the eighth seed in the competitive Western Conference. Their next challenge comes against the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, riding a wave of momentum with a 7-3 record in their last ten games.
In the showdown against the struggling Grizzlies, Anthony Davis also made a significant impact, contributing 36 points and 14 rebounds. Davis, who went 11 of 22 from the field, bounced back from a brief absence due to a left eye injury in the Lakers’ previous game.
The Lakers are focused on securing their playoff position as they head into the Western Conference play-in round. With ties between the Lakers, Sacramento, and Golden State earlier in the day, the Lakers knew the importance of each victory.
The Grizzlies, on the other hand, faced a tough loss, dropping to the 13th seed in the Western Conference with a 27-54 record after 81 games. Despite their efforts, including a four-game losing streak, the Grizzlies’ hopes for the NBA Playoffs in 2024 have come to an end.
