National Basketball Association
Memphis 121, L.A. Lakers 109
When: 7:30 PM ET, Tuesday, February 28, 2023
Where: FedExForum, Memphis, Tennessee
Officials: #25 Tony Brothers, #77 Karl Lane, #91 Cheryl Flores
Attendance: 17794

Ja Morant had 39 points as part of a triple-double and the host Memphis Grizzlies took advantage of LeBron James' absence to pull away from the Los Angeles Lakers late for a 121-109 victory on Tuesday.

Memphis' Xavier Tillman Sr. ignited a key third-quarter run with a dunk.

The Lakers, who led by as many as six points in the third period, saw a three-game winning streak end shortly after learning that James is expected to miss at least two weeks with a foot injury that occurred in a Sunday win at Dallas.

With Anthony Davis (28 points, 19 rebounds) and Lonnie Walker IV (21 points) leading the way, the Lakers played the Grizzlies to a 73-all tie before Memphis closed the third quarter with a 20-11 burst to take the lead for good.

Tillman began the run with a dunk and Luke Kennard added a 3-pointer, but Morant carried the vast majority of the offensive load, single-handedly outscoring the Lakers 15-11 over the 4 1/2-minute stretch.

The Lakers managed to get within 110-106 with 4:48 to go on a three-point play by Davis. However, Tillman turned a Desmond Bane assist into a layup and Morant nailed one of his patented floaters as well as a dunk in an 8-0 counter that kept the visitors at arm's length.

Morant's triple-double included 10 rebounds and a game-high-tying 10 assists. The 39 points were his second-most this season (he had 49 against the Houston Rockets in October), while the triple-double was his sixth of the campaign.

Tillman chipped in with 18 points and a team-high 11 rebounds, while Bane, who had four steals, and Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 16 points apiece in Memphis' second straight win.

Los Angeles' Dennis Schroder produced 10 points and a game-high-tying 10 assists.

Austin Reaves (17) and Malik Beasley (12) also scored in double figures for the Lakers, who lost despite outscoring Memphis 39-18 on 3-pointers and 20-13 at the free-throw line.

Davis was 10-for-13 at the line and also found time for a game-high five blocks.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
L.A. Lakers   Memphis
Anthony Davis 28 Scoring Ja Morant 39
Dennis Schroder 10 Assists Ja Morant 10
Anthony Davis 19 Rebounds Xavier Tillman 11
Anthony Davis 10 Free Throws Made Ja Morant 9
Malik Beasley 2 Steals Desmond Bane 4
Anthony Davis 5 Blocks Jaren Jackson Jr. 4
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
L.A. Lakers 109 44.2 13-34 20-23 22 56 10 5 26
Memphis 121 45.5 6-31 13-17 25 47 6 13 7
Upcoming Games
  • Memphis will play their next game on the road against Houston. The Grizzlies have a W/L % of .676 after a win and .522 after a loss.
  • L.A. Lakers will play their next game on the road against Oklahoma City. The Lakers have a W/L % of .517 after a win and .424 after a loss.