LeBron James delivered another masterclass performance on Wednesday night, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 128-123 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies. The win marked the Lakers’ third consecutive triumph, as James recorded his third straight triple-double—35 points, 12 rebounds, and 14 assists.
James, in his 21st season, had taken a more subdued role in the early part of the season, deferring to teammates like Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves. However, when the game called for leadership, the NBA’s all-time leading scorer was ready to answer. His remarkable display of scoring, rebounding, and playmaking kept the Lakers in the game, especially after Memphis had trimmed a 15-point lead and the team’s offensive rhythm began to falter.
“It’s all about being patient and taking what the defense gives me,” James explained. “I understand the waves and swings of the game. It’s nothing new to me.”
The Lakers came out strong in the opening minutes, displaying crisp passing, aggressive cutting, and effective defense. But their energy quickly dipped, and Memphis, despite missing key players Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, took advantage. Led by Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis outscored the Lakers 70-53 in the second and third quarters, as the Lakers struggled with sloppy defense and foul trouble.
Despite the challenges, the Lakers kept the game within reach, thanks to contributions from Rui Hachimura and rookie Dalton Knecht. Knecht had a breakout performance, scoring a career-high 19 points and making all five of his three-point attempts. Hachimura also made a significant impact, as the duo combined for 38 points on an impressive 13-of-15 shooting.
“I trust my shot and work on it every day. My teammates know that, and they want me to keep shooting,” Knecht said after the game.
As the game entered the final stretch, Davis returned to the court after picking up five fouls. He hit two crucial three-pointers that helped secure the win, pushing the Lakers to their sixth consecutive home victory to start the season—their best such start since 2010.
The victory also marked a strong start to their home campaign, with the Lakers now holding a perfect 6-0 record at Crypto.com Arena to begin the season. The last time they started the season with such a strong home record was in the 2010 season, and their longest home-winning streak to open a season remains the 17 straight wins from 1988-89.
The Lakers will now turn their attention to group play in the NBA Cup, with their next game set for Friday in San Antonio against the Spurs.
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