The Los Angeles Lakers regrouped and recalibrated their offense after a heartbreaking loss, and it paid off in a big way. Coach JJ Redick called a meeting with the team’s three leaders – LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves – on Saturday morning to discuss ways to optimize their collective shot creation and playmaking skills.
The trio combined for 85 points and 25 assists in their 134-127 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. The Lakers’ offense hummed as Dončić (29 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists), Reaves (31 points, seven rebounds, and eight assists), and James (25 points, six rebounds, and eight assists) worked together seamlessly.
The team’s 50-40-90 shooting game was a rare feat, with the Lakers shooting 50.6 percent from the floor, 44.2 percent on three-pointers, and 92.6 percent at the free-throw line. They also made 19 three-pointers, led by Reaves.
Redick praised James for his impassioned speech during a fourth-quarter timeout that galvanized his teammates. “He was an incredible leader tonight,” Redick said. “It was early. It was throughout the game. When we got down, I challenged the group in a timeout and he was as vocal as he’s been since he got back from injury.”
Despite the win, there is still room for improvement on defense. The Lakers’ three-point defense has cratered, and they’re not playing with the same verve and sprit they had earlier in the season.
Entering the final two weeks of the regular season, the Lakers can control their own destiny. They’ve secured the head-to-head tiebreakers over the Grizzlies, Golden State Warriors, and LA Clippers – the three teams they’re battling for the No. 4 seed. If they win the Pacific Division, which they appear on pace to do, they will also hold the tiebreakers over the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Lakers’ next two games are against the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have already locked up the No. 1 seed in the West, and the Houston Rockets. A win against both teams would put them in position to secure a high seeding, but it will require a strong performance from the team.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6241441/2025/03/30/lakers-grizzlies-score-result-luka-doncic-lebron-james-austin-reaves