Luka Doncic sealed 34 points and LeBron James contributed 31 to hold the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena against Santi Aldama’s Memphis Grizzlies, who surrendered 128-121 despite the Spaniard’s 15 points.Jake LaRavia, formerly of the Grizzlies, joined the Los Angeles scoring festival with 21 points and JJ Redick’s team began its 2026 in the best possible way.
The Lakers, who had a difficult December, have a 21-11 record and are in fifth place in the West. The Grizzlies are ninth in the same conference (15-19) and lost their third consecutive game.Doncic finished the game with 34 points, six rebounds and eight assists, while LeBron shone with 31 points, the result of 12 of 18 shooting from the field, to which he added nine rebounds and six assists.
LaRavia also grabbed nine rebounds and was the protagonist with a three-pointer in a 12-2 run by the Lakers in the last five minutes that served to give the final blow to the game.Jaren Jackson was the leading scorer for Memphis with 25 points, while Ja Morant had 16 and eleven assists.
Aldama at a very good level coming off the bench
Aldama, 24, took advantage of his 29 minutes off the bench and scored 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists. He connected on five of his 12 field goal attempts, three of nine from the arc
With a great start to the game from LaRavia, formerly of the Grizzlies, the Lakers went up by as many as 15 points in the second quarter, but the Grizzlies, with nine early points from Aldama, managed to stay in the contest.Aldama hurt the Lakers off the bench and forced two four-point plays, as well as providing important rim protection. Doncic led the Lakers by the hand in the fourth quarter and surpassed 25 points against Memphis for the 11th consecutive time.The Lakers and Grizzlies will meet again on Sunday in the same venue. JJ Redick’s team will then take on the New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs and Milwaukee Bucks.
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