Overview
- Luka Doncic scored 44 with 12 rebounds and six assists in a 117-112 road win over the Grizzlies, erasing a 16-point halftime deficit to open Group Play 1-0.
- His third straight 40-point game to start the season gives him 136 points across three games, a rare opening stretch matched historically only by Wilt Chamberlain and, by volume, Michael Jordan.
- Marcus Smart returned from a quad contusion to post 12 points and two steals, while former Grizzly Jake LaRavia added 13 off the Lakers bench.
- Austin Reaves contributed 21 after carrying the offense during Doncic’s absence, when he averaged 40 points and 10 assists over three games — a Lakers first since Jerry West.
- Deandre Ayton sat the second half with back spasms and said he expects to be available Sunday; LeBron James remains out with right-side sciatica as L.A. returns home to face Miami.