Lakers’ Struggles Continue as Grizzlies Sink 23 Three-Pointers in 127-113 Loss

In a disappointing fourth consecutive defeat for the Los Angeles Lakers, LeBron James and Anthony Davis delivered a combined 63 points, but the Memphis Grizzlies’ exceptional three-point shooting, making a season-high 23 shots from beyond the arc, proved too much for the struggling Lakers. The final score was 127-113.

Despite improved shotmaking and ball security from the Lakers, their defensive stops were lacking, allowing the Grizzlies to dominate from three-point range. Coach Darvin Ham acknowledged the Grizzlies’ impressive performance, shooting 51% from three-point territory, the most by a Laker opponent this season.

The loss adds to the Lakers’ recent struggles, with their record now standing at 17-19. LeBron James, visibly frustrated, bluntly stated, “I mean, we just suck right now,” expressing dissatisfaction with the team’s current form.

Coach Ham, defending the team’s overall performance, emphasized the long NBA season, stating, “This is a marathon. We hit a tough stretch. It’s the same team. We played some high-level games a little while ago, and we’ve just got to get back to that. We’ve got to keep the fight, though. We cannot lose our fight.”

LeBron James, however, dismissed the notion that the Lakers’ solid play in the recent tournament was indicative of championship contention, stating, “That was just two games, though. That was a small sample. Everybody is getting so cracked up about Vegas, keep bringing up Vegas. It was two games.”

The Grizzlies, led by Jaren Jackson Jr.’s 33 points and strong contributions from Desmond Bane (24 points) and Marcus Smart (29 points), outscored the Lakers 33-19 in the decisive fourth quarter. The Lakers struggled to contain the Grizzlies’ three-point shooting and failed to capitalize on opportunities to make a comeback.

As the Lakers face the red-hot Clippers in their next matchup, the team is grappling with a challenging stretch and mounting external pressure. Anthony Davis urged his teammates to stay united, emphasizing the need to focus on individual improvement and work collectively to reverse their fortunes.

The Lakers will need to regroup and find solutions quickly to avoid further setbacks in the competitive NBA season.