LeBron James’ Triple-Double Powers Lakers to Third Consecutive Win
LeBron James continued his stellar start to his 21st NBA season, leading the Los Angeles Lakers to a 128-123 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night. With another masterful performance, James posted his third consecutive triple-double, scoring 35 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out 14 assists.
Initially, James eased into the season, allowing teammates Anthony Davis and Austin Reaves to share the scoring load. However, as the season progressed, James showed his enduring skill, mastering the game with patience and precision. “He’s mastered the game,” Lakers coach JJ Redick said, emphasizing James’ ability to control the flow of play and adapt to changing moments within games.
In Wednesday’s game, James carried the Lakers during critical stretches, especially as Davis faced foul trouble and Memphis erased a 15-point Lakers lead. The Grizzlies, missing their starting backcourt of Ja Morant and Desmond Bane, nevertheless surged with Jaren Jackson Jr. leading the charge. Memphis outscored the Lakers 70-53 over the second and third quarters, exposing defensive lapses that had been largely absent in the Lakers’ recent games.
Despite Memphis’s rally, the Lakers remained competitive thanks to strong performances from Rui Hachimura and rookie Dalton Knecht, who delivered a career-high 19 points, hitting all five of his three-point attempts. Together, Knecht and Hachimura combined for 38 points on 13-of-15 shooting, helping to keep the Lakers in the game. “I trust my shot and work on it every single day. My teammates know that and always look for me,” Knecht said, acknowledging Redick’s confidence in him.
Davis returned to the floor in the fourth quarter with five fouls and made two crucial three-pointers, helping to seal the Lakers’ victory. With the win, the Lakers extended their undefeated home record to 6-0, their best home start since 2010. Their longest home win streak at the start of a season dates back to 1988-89, when they opened with 17 straight wins at home.
The Lakers’ next challenge will be in San Antonio as they begin group play in the NBA Cup on Friday. With James in prime form and a strong supporting cast, the Lakers will look to maintain their momentum in what’s shaping up to be a promising season.
