The Los Angeles Lakers earned a much-needed 128-121 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, and one moment between LeBron James and Luka Doncic caught everyone’s attention as their interaction revealed the trust between the stars.
Late in the fourth quarter, after a 12-2 Lakers run capped by a James layup, Memphis called timeout. James smiled at Doncic and hugged him, silently conveying, “I got you.”
The gesture emphasized James‘ leadership amid a challenging season and the moment carried extra weight, given Doncic‘s struggles earlier.
In the first half, he appeared to hold his left arm in discomfort and struggled from the field, making just one of seven 3-pointers and scoring mostly from free throws.
The brief interaction underscored the chemistry between the two stars. Despite narratives online suggesting tension due to the Lakers‘ defensive lapses and inconsistent play, the gesture confirmed mutual respect and strong collaboration.
Doncic‘s elbow issues have been recurring. Against the Detroit Pistons, he briefly left the game with shoulder pain, returning with protective padding and a harness. The Grizzlies game injury raised concerns, prompting careful monitoring of his long-term health.
Despite these challenges, the European recorded 34 points, six rebounds, eight assists, and two steals. LeBron supported him with 31 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, leading the Lakers to outscore Memphis 32-25 in the fourth quarter.
Can the Lakers win the NBA championship? What do the bookies say?
The Lakers‘ performance is drawing attention as oddsmakers assess the 2026 NBA title race. Currently, the Oklahoma City Thunder are favored at +240, while the Denver Nuggets sit at +1600 after a 142-138 OT win over the Timberwolves.
Highlighted by Nikola Jokic‘s historic 56-point triple-double, the Serbian could be on for another MVP campaign but the San Antonio Spurs‘ recent dominance over the Thunder has complicated matters.
Their interior defense, led by Victor Wembanyama, limits Shai Gilgeous-Alexander‘s scoring and free-throw opportunities, making a deep playoff run for the Thunder uncertain despite their favorite status in the Western Conference.
The Lakers recently snapped a three-game losing streak with a 125-101 win over the Sacramento Kings, led by James and Doncic combining for 68 points. Their on-court synergy strengthens the team’s title hopes despite injury concerns.
Despite following up that victory over the Kings with wins over the Pistons and Grizzlies, BetMGM odds for the 2026 NBA Championship show the Lakers at +1500, reflecting skepticism due to defensive inconsistencies and health issues.
Meanwhile, New York Knicks are gaining momentum with OG Anunoby returning, bolstering their interior defense and providing a spark to counter the league’s top scorers. This defensive stability is a factor bettors consider when evaluating championship odds.
Teams like the Houston Rockets (+800) and the Cleveland Cavaliers (+850) also remain in contention based on recent performance.
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