Wednesday night, following a remarkable double-overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks, the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Memphis Grizzlies in the second game of a back-to-back.

While the Lakers regained starting guard LeBron James, Anthony Davis was ruled out following a 52-minute stint in Milwaukee due to a knee injury. The Grizzlies, who have also endured their fair share of injuries, were unable to overcome James and the Lakers, who prevailed 136-124.

Jaxson Hayes replaced Anthony Davis in the starting lineup and scored two dunks in the opening minutes, while former Laker Scotty Pippen Jr. also scored five fast points for Memphis in the same manner.

James immediately got going, driving in two layups to give the Lakers a 14-9 lead entering the first timeout.

Early on, the Lakers threw numerous lobs while Austin Reaves piled up assists for James and Hayes. The triple by Spencer Dinwiddie then provided Los Angeles with its initial double-digit lead.

However, following the substitutions of James and Reaves, the Grizzlies responded strongly from deep, led by Desmond Bane, reducing their deficit to 37-36 at the conclusion of the first period.

After Russell began the second quarter with another three-pointer, Hachimura scored seven points, which included a dunk and a corner triple. Reaves and Hachimura resembled how they performed in the postseason series against Memphis last year; both were facilitating Los Angeles’ offense. The Lakers ended the half in the lead, 69-61, due to a dominant closing period.

Hachimura charged consecutive three-pointers to start the second half, continuing from where he had left off. Russell subsequently entered the game, and the Lakers were suddenly up 14. They continued to ladle it on from deep, with Taurean Prince connecting after Russell had already done so.

James fell severely at the conclusion of the third quarter, but he remained in the game and appeared to be unharmed. The king then recorded a triple-double with a steal, a layup, and an assist to Dinwiddie for a three-pointer. Conversely, the Lakers appeared impregnable as they amassed a 27-point advantage.

However, that changed quickly as James exited the game and the Lakers decelerated from their aggressive play. In the third quarter, the Grizzlies closed the door with a significant run that reduced their deficit to 102-92.

Hachimura, who needed the Lakers to recover concentration to begin the fourth period, delivered just that by making a three-pointer and blocking a shot.

Jake LaRavia ignited the Grizzlies, who refused to retreat meekly, maintaining a deficit of approximately ten. James, however, had finally had enough, entering one final attack mode to seal the game’s fate.