The Los Angeles Lakers acquired a much-needed win Saturday, in opposition to a crew out of the blue attempting to determine its future.
There have been no shooters left open, inbounds turnovers or Josh Giddey buzzer-beaters this time. Los Angeles recovered from its absolute howler of a loss to the Chicago Bulls with a 134-127 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, a day after Memphis surprised the basketball world by firing head coach Taylor Jenkins.
It was additionally Ja Morant’s first sport again after lacking six video games with a hamstring harm. He had 22 factors and 10 assists in 31 minutes.
LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves every posted at the very least 25 factors, with James and Dončić recreating maybe essentially the most iconic photograph of James’ profession, his twin portrait with Dwyane Wade throughout his stint with the Miami Warmth.
LeBron and Luka Doncic actually recreated the Dwyane Wade photograph
(📸: by way of @Lakers) pic.twitter.com/eqvYMLr1Le
— Yahoo Sports activities (@YahooSports) March 30, 2025
Reaves paced the crew with 31 factors, plus eight assists and 7 rebounds.
It was all Lakers early, with a lead rising to as many as 20 factors within the second quarter. Memphis runs briefly gave it the lead within the third and fourth quarters.
The Lakers entered Saturday having misplaced 4 of their previous 5 video games and eight of their previous 12. Lots of these losses have been attributable to accidents — James missed two weeks with a groin harm — however Los Angeles was solely 1-3 since James got here again. Had the Lakers not been capable of beat a Grizzlies crew enjoying its first sport below interim coach Tuomas Iisalo, it might have been regarding.
Los Angeles is now tied with Memphis for fourth place within the Western Convention with a 44-29 document and 9 video games left on the regular-season schedule.
As for Memphis, it was enjoying in a state of flux between the lack of Jenkins and return of Morant. The Grizzlies lower the coach unfastened regardless of being nicely on monitor for a playoff spot, and it seems like we’re all nonetheless within the means of determining precisely what occurred. In the event that they fired Jenkins as a result of they legitimately believed they have been a greater crew with out him, Saturday was a nasty begin.
