Lakers’ LeBron James, Rui Wow NBA Fans in Win vs. Grizzlies amid Anthony Davis Injury
Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVMarch 28, 2024
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Shorthanded or not, the Los Angeles Lakers keep rolling.
Los Angeles extended its winning streak to five with a 136-124 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in Wednesday’s Western Conference showdown at FedExForum. The Lakers improved to 41-32 overall, while the Grizzlies fell to 24-49 and an ugly 1-6 in their last seven.
While the Purple and Gold got a boost with the return of LeBron James after he missed Tuesday’s dramatic comeback double-overtime win over the Milwaukee Bucks because of a left ankle injury, they were still missing one of their go-to options in the second night of a back-to-back with Anthony Davis sidelined by a knee injury.
Fortunately for the victors, they were playing one of the worst teams in the league and took advantage behind a balanced attack with seven players in double figures.
James was one of them with a triple-double of 23 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists, while Rui Hachimura was dominant with 32 points and 10 rebounds on 7-of-8 shooting from deep. Throw in a combined eight three-pointers from D’Angelo Russell (23 points) and Taurean Prince (15 points) and a double-double from Austin Reaves (13 points and 11 assists), and the Lakers were unstoppable.
Hachimura and James in particular drew plenty of reaction from social media:
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportLEBRON OOP FROM REAVES 🤯 pic.twitter.com/ur8ci1XR0U
Lakers Nation @LakersNationLive look at Rui: pic.twitter.com/1XONBJfM62
Jovan Buha @jovanbuhaThere’s something about this building that brings out the best in Rui Hachimura. He’s up to 32 points (11-14 FGs, 7-8 3PT, 3-4 FTs) and 8 rebounds.
Ry @JustRyColeRui Hachimura is too valuable of a weapon to have been limited as much as he was this season.
It’s criminal what that cost the season.
Aaron Larsuel @AaronLarsuelLive look at Rui: pic.twitter.com/GLQMU2I3Dr
GoldenKnight @GoldenKnightGFXRui making shots, blocking shots, rebounding…another guy who people said should have been a throw in in trades lol
Lakers Nation @LakersNationRUI AGAIN
I think he should be allowed to play the Grizzlies every game
Chris Vernon @ChrisVernonShowIf Rui Hachimura got to play the Grizzlies every game he would be on the Top 75 players of all time list.
Bleacher Report @BleacherReportOLDEST PLAYER VS. YOUNGEST PLAYER IN THE LEAGUE GOING AT IT 🍿
What a moment for LeBron and GG Jackson đź‘Ź pic.twitter.com/P0Z6BEBj9w
StatMuse @statmuseMost triple-doubles after turning 35 years old:
23 — LeBron James
22
21
20
19
18
17
16
15
14
13
12
11
10
9
8 — Jason Kidd
Nobody else has more than three. pic.twitter.com/kFhlpp53A9
Harrison Faigen @hmfaigenLeBron has been in the league longer than he’s been alive lol https://t.co/p8wPzoYwu7
Witness King James @WITNESSKJLeBron has his 111th career triple double.
We’re still in the 3rd quarter.
Year 21. đź‘‘
MAC @mittbaby23Lebron got a triple double in 3 quarters đź‘‘ pic.twitter.com/9rtCeVyYUl
Every game the rest of the season figures to take on additional importance for the Lakers seeing how they are battling with the Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns in the race for the Nos. 6-8 seeds in the Western Conference.
They came out with the expected amount of urgency with James throwing down an alley-oop slam, Hachimura picking up the slack for the absent Davis, Russell hitting from beyond the arc, Reaves distributing, and Jaxson Hayes providing a lift down low.
Los Angeles seemed to remove any doubt about the outcome in the third quarter when Hachimura, Russell and Prince caught fire from deep as James put the finishing touches on his triple-double.
Even when the Grizzlies ended the third quarter on a 15-0 run to pull within striking distance, Hachimura delivered with two monster threes early in the fourth to stop the bleeding and help put the game away.
If he continues to play at this level while James and Davis lead the way down the stretch, the ceiling will be much higher for the Lakers as they look to continue their winning streak Friday against the Indiana Pacers.
