Los Angeles Lakers 93 vs 103 Memphis Grizzlies summary: stats and highlights | NBA Playoffs Game 2
The Memphis Grizzlies are headed to California with the series tied at 1-1 after beating the Lakers in a crucial game from the FedEx Forum on Wednesday night. With no Ja Morant, it was Xavier Tillman who led the Grizzlies to the 103-93 victory in Game 2.
Ja a late scratch
About an hour before the game, the Grizzlies announced Ja Morant would miss Wednesday’s game after suffering a wrist injury late in Game 1. Memphis was already backed against the wall after losing the opener and with their superstar sidelined, they had to come out swinging.
The Grizzlies grit and fight was on display from the gun as newly crowned Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. had a big block on Anthony Davis early in the first quarter and that set the tone for the rest of the game. Davis would struggle all night scoring just 13 points as Jackson Jr. outperformed him for a second straight game.
Desmond Bane got the Grizzlies going from the start, scoring 10 first quarter points as the Grizzlies built up an 11 point lead after a 7 point sequence that saw David Roddy hit a three and Luke Kennard hit an and-one three just seconds later.
Tillman the unlikely hero
Memphis would hold on to that lead for the rest of the game. Six different Grizzlies were in double digits including Xavier Tillman who ended the first half with 12 points helping the home side build a 15 point advantage at the break. Tillman would score the first seven points of the third quarter for the Grizzlies and the lead stretched to 20, but he would cool off and so would Memphis.
LA would hold the Grizzlies to just three points over a near seven minute long span in the third, and LeBron James would led a comeback charge that fell short. James and Rui Hachimura would pull the Lakers within six in the quarter, but that would be the closest LA got to making a comeback. James had 28 and 12 in the loss and Hachimura followed up a night to remember in Game 1 with 20 but they didn't get enough from their big man Davis.
Brook and James matchup getting chippy
The Lakers would pull within six points with three minutes to go in the fourth but Desmond Bane would hit four straight free throws to finish the game with 17, and Dillon Brooks, who was a thorn in LeBron’s side all night hit a dagger three with just over a minute to go in the game. Those two had plenty to say to each other during Game 2, and that should be just the tip of the iceberg in a series that looks like it could go the distance.
We will now await word on if Ja Morant will return as both teams head to Los Angeles for Game 3 from the Crypto.com Arena on Saturday.
Dillon Brooks and LeBron had plenty to say to each other throughout the course of the game but Brooks had the last word when he buried this dagger three late in the game.
The Lakers have not proved that they have the ability to stop Jackson Jr. and through the first two games, he is out playing Anthony Davis.
Tillman scored the first seven points of the second half for the Grizzlies to help build the lead up to 20 in the third quarter.
Jackson Jr. was brilliant in the Game 1 loss. He had another solid night, scoring 18 points and grabbing 9 rebounds on a night he was named the Defensive Player of the Year.
Xavier Tillman was another Grizzly who had a stand out game with Ja on the bench. He had 12 in the first half, and started Memphis off on the right foot in the second half.
Energy, hustle, and plays like this was what was needed to beat this red hot Lakers team coming into Game 2. That's exactly what the Grizzlies gave to tie the series up. How about the block by John Konchar on AD, who was limited to just 13 points on the night.
This would be Bane's last bucket for the night, but his quick start gave Memphis all the cushion they needed.
Desmond Bane had 10 points in the first quarter in a game that everyone needed to step up. He got the Griz out of the gate early and let the rest of his teammates do the work from there.
The Grizzlies would score 7 points in a matter of seconds to stretch out to 11 points and the Grizzlies would hang on to that lead the rest of the way. Kennard had 10 early points to help build the early lead.
Brooks has been the energy guy for the Grizzlies all season, and Wednesday night was no different. He had 6 points, but did a great job frustrating LeBron James all night.
The Grizzlies came into Game 2 and brought the energy on both ends with no Ja Morant. Newly names Defensive Player of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. set the tone early with this block on AD.
IT'S ALL OVER!!! THE GRIZZLIES HANG ON TO BEAT THE LAKERS WITH A HUGE WIN WITH JA MORANT ON THE BENCH!
Reaves sends Jones to the line and he hits both FTs.
Davis on the three ball and he drills it to give the Lakers a little hope of a late comeback!
Jackson Jr. hits both FTs after the foul on Reaves.
James gets the tip in off the Hachimura missed three.
Brooks drills a three ball and the Grizzlies lead by 11! You better believe he had something to say to LeBron after the made shot.
Two minutes to go in Game 2 from Memphis!
Bane fouled by Russell and he hits both FTs.
LeBron getting back to the rack after the Reaves dish and he finishes with a lay up with 3 minutes on the clock
Foul on James sends Bane to the line where he hits both FTs.
Inbound pass to James for an easy lay up out of the timeout.
We are under four minutes to go in the fourth quarter and the Lakers take a timeout down by 8.
LeBron snaps a pass to AD who finishes with a jam and he is finally in double figures.
Tillman at the line after the foul on Russell and he hits one of two FTs.
Russell banks it in after coming down with the offensive board off his miss.
Tillman getting back on the board for the first time in a while and he gets the floater in the lane.
Reaves in the corner and he drills the three after the kick out from Russell!
Brooks drills a three and walks down the court staring at LeBRon the whole way down.
James on the jam out of the timeout after the Davis dish from the perimeter.
Jackson Jr. with the jam after the lob underneath from Bane.
Timeout Lakers with 9:05 to go in the fourth quarter!
Jackson Jr. at the line and he hits one of two FTs after the foul on Vanderbilt.
James got doubled and slipped it to Vanderbilt underneath for the lay up.
Schroder's reverse was blocked but Vanderbilt was in the right spot at the right time for the put back.
We are headed to the fourth quarter from Memphis!
The Lakers came back to within six during a near 7 minute span that the Grizzlies scored just 3 points, but the lead is back to 12 heading into the final quarter.
Jackson Jr. at the line after the foul on Schroder and he hits both FTs.
Hachimura on the turn around fadeaway over Jackson Jr. with under a minute in the third!
Jackson Jr. adds to the lead after spinning in the lane and getting the floater to go!
Kennard drops a three ball and the Grizzlies lead is back up to double digits!
Hachimura with the roll off the pull up from the elbow.
Roddy strings the three ball in the corner and the lead is back to 9!
Hachimura at the line after the Jones foul and he hits both FTs.
Jones turns on the jets and gets to the bucket laying it up off the glass.
Reaves into the paint and pulls up with a fadeaway!
Jackson Jr. at the line after the foul on AD and he hits both FTs.
Hachimura comes out of the timeout and drills a three ball, and we have a 6 point game after the Grizzlies have scored just 3 points in over 6 minutes.
High low look from AD to Hachimura and he finishes over Kennard to cut the lead to 9!
Timeout Memphis with 4:29 to go in the 3rd quarter.
Davis on the floater on the baseline and the MEM lead is back down to 11
LeBron puts his head down and finishes the lay up after a strong drive!
Roddy strings a three ball and that's a big bucket just as the Lakers looked like they were cutting into the lead.
James going to the line after the foul on Roddy and he hits both FTs.
LeBron backing Brooks down in the lane and he hits the fadeaway and the Grizzlies will take a timeout with 8 to go in the third quarter.
LeBron and Brooks were seen chirpping at each other after the whislte, and this is going to be a fun 20 minutes from Memphis.
James tip toes the baseline and finishes over Jackson down low.
Reaves gets the offensive board off the James miss and he goes back at the rack and hits the lay up.
Tillman was left all alone from downtown and he drilled the three ball! He's got all 7 for MEM this half.
Vanderbilt hits both FTs after being sent to the line by Tillman.
Lob from Jones to Tillman and he gets the lay in to go for two quick buckets to start the half.
Tillman gets the tip in off the Bane miss, and he's got 14 points to lead all scorers.
WE ARE BACK FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION FROM MEMPHIS WITH THE GRIZZLIES PROTECTING A 15 POINT LEAD.
Jackson Jr. tweaked his ankle early in the game, but came back and scored 7 points and 5 rebounds.
Who would have though that it would be Xavier Tillman making the difference in the first half with 12 points and 6 boards.
This was without a question the play of the first half, the play of the night, and maybe the play of the playoffs! Konchar with the BIG BLOCK on AD who has been shut down on the offensive end.
If you are wondering why there are no highlights of the Lakers, it's because they haven't posted any on their social media. It's been a rough start but there were a few buckets worth posting.
Bane had 10 first quarter points to set the tone for the Grizzlies. He goes into the halftime break with 13.
The Grizzlies scored 7 points in about 5 seconds to help build a 9 point lead after Kennard hits an AND 1 three ball
Brooks and the Grizzlies got off to a hot start in this Game 2 knowing they can't lose this game and go to Cali down 2-0.
With No Ja Morant, the Grizzlies have to beat the Lakers with heart, and Jaren Jackson Jr. set the tone early on AD shortly after being awarded the Defensive Player of the Year.
We are headed to halftime here from FedEx Forum!
The Grizzlies jumped out to a 16 point lead, their largest of the night right before half. Everyone is stepping up for Memphis, as Bane has 13, Tillman has 12, Kennard has 10 and Jackson has 7 and 5.
LeBron leads the Lakers with 12, and Hachimura has 9 off the bench but Davis has just 6 after the first half.
Reaves at the line after the foul by Jones and he hits one of two FTs.
Jackson Jr. drills the deep three on the catch and shoot and the lead is the largest of the night!
Reaves hits the fade away with under 1:30 to go in the half.
Pass to the FT line to Tillman and he glides to the rim for the finger roll.
Jackson Jr. on the lay up after beating Hachimura to the rim.
Hachimura back to the rack and he gets the short range effort to go.
Kennard strokes the three ball and he's got 10 on the night!
Hachimura at the line and he hits one of two FTs.
Jones with a baseline drive and lay up to push the lead back to double digits.
Konchar just blocked Davis again, but Vanderbilt was there to follow up and get the put back.
Hachimura at the line after the foul on Brooks and he hits one of two FTs.
Russell drills the three ball after the kick out from Hachimura out of the timeout.
Jones with a long pass over the top to Tillman and he beat everyone down the court for the lay up!
Timeout Lakers with 5:34 to go in the second quarter!
Tillman wiggles around Davis and finishes off the glass from outside the lane!
Konchar just stuffed the **** out of Anthony Davis at the rim!!! Highlights to come!!!
Brooks on another mid ranger and that's back to back buckets for him and the Grizzlies.
Brooks pulls up from the elbow out of the timeout and puts the Grizz back up by 9.
Big block by Davis on one end and James gets another fast break lay up as a result!
Timeout Memphis with 7:36 to go in the half.
Davis fouled by Bane and he hits both FTs to cut the lead to double digits.
LeBron strokes a three ball and he takes a look back at one of the fans front row and has some words, or at least a stern stare at them.
Kennard pulls up from the FT line and drills the mid range J.
Beasley gets the easy bucket down low after the LeBron dish.
Konchar on the tip in after the missed lay up by Bane.
Jackson Jr. penetrating and bankings the runner off the glass after being shaken up for the second time tonight just moments ago.
Beasley at the line after the foul on Roddy and he hits both FTs.
Bane in the corner and he drills the three ball! He's got 13 early points.
James starting the second quarter with a quick turnaround and a lay up down low.
We are at the end of the first quarter and the Memphis Grizzlies are leading the LA Lakers by 11 points with no Ja Morant!
Desmond Bane led the way with 10 first quarter points, including 6 straight to end the half. Tillman has 6, and the best news of the quarter is Jackson Jr. returned after heading to the locker room due to a minor ankle injury.
The Lakers shot just 7/22 and started 1/8 from the field. James has 5, Hachimura had 5 and Davis has 4.
Pull up from Bane and he's in double figures and has the last 6 Grizzlies points.
Bane back to the rack and this time he gets the scoop lay up to go on the finger roll.
Bane finds the floater in the lane and he's off to a nice start tonight.
Skip pass from LeBron to Beasley and he strokes the three after going scoreless in Game 1.
Bane puts it on the deck and finishes the lay up off the glass from the left side.
Jackson Jr. at the line after the TO, but he missed both.
Hachimura in the corner and he opens his account after a 29 point performance in Game 1!
Timeout Lakers with under 3 to go in the first quarter.
AD finshes the jump hook in traffic after getting the offensive board off his own miss.
Kennard comes up with the steal off the inbound, steps back and drills the three AND ONE!!! FT is good to complete the four point play!
Roddy drills the three ball in the corner and the Grizzlies are up 7!
Davis was called for a defensive three seconds, and Kennard hits the technical FT.
Reaves gets the bucket and the foul in traffic after running the break! FT is no good.
Hachimura with a mid ranger from the elbow to break up an 8-0 MEM run.
Jones with another floater, and this times get the whistle after the foul on Davis! FT is no good.
Jones picks up the rebound and goes coast to coast, finishing with a floater.
Tillman on the turn around jump hook out of the timeout!
The Grizzlies call a timeout with 6:46 to go in the first quarter.
Tillman backing down Vanderbilt and finishes with the jump hook down low.
AD at the line after the foul on Jackson Jr. and finally someone not named LeBron is on the board.
Bane on the back door cut and he walks to the bucket for the finger roll.
LeBron with a deep two on the catch and release and he's got the first five Laker points.
Jones lobs it up and there is Tillman for the tip in on the alley oop! This crowd is loud here at FedEx Forum!
Brooks gets the long rebound and weaves his way on a coast to coast drive and cocks it back for the slam!
LeBron at the line after a foul on Brook and he hits one of two.
Davis with a block on one end and that leads to an easy bucket for LeBron in transition to get the night started.
WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM MEMPHIS IS GAME 2 OF THE FIRST ROUND OF THE WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYOFFS!
The Lakers are going with their same starting five as in Game 1 as LeBron and AD are accompanied by Vaderbilt, Reaves and Russell.
With no Ja Morant, the Grizzlies starting five looks like this. Tyus Jones could be a starting point guard on most teams in the NBA, and tonight it's his job to lead Memphis against LA. They have already shown they can win without Ja before when he was suspended in March after the gun incident, can they show it again tonight?
Rui making history
Rui Hachimura came to LA in the middle of the season, and waited until the biggest game of the season to have his best game as a Lakers. He had only played in one playoff series in his young career, coming with the Washington Wizards in 2021. In Game 1 he looked like a Lakers legend who has been through the playoff mill, hitting four third quarter threes and scoring a Lakers record 29 points off the bench to lead his team to the opening victory of the series.
Ja ruled out
Ja Morant has been ruled out for tonight's game according to a report out of Memphis within the last few minutes. The Grizzlies star, who was listed as questionable after falling on his right wrist late in the fourth quarter of Memphis’ Game 1 loss, will miss at least this game with an injured wrist. Ja landed in a manner that bended his fingers back one way and his wrist another. He ran off the court and into the locker room and didn’t return to the game, and will be on the sidelines for this must win game for Memphis.
Grizzly's need a rebound
There are a lot of questions surround Ja Morant and the Grizzlies after Game 1. One thing that you can never question is whether or not Desmond Bane will be ready to put up a scrap no matter who is on the floor. This is a gritty Memphis team that doesn’t mind playing ugly and roughing the opposition up, but when they need to Bane and the Grizz can light up the scoreboard with the best of them. He had 22 points, and if Ja Morant isn’t going to play, then the Grizzlies are going to need everyone to step up.
Can Lakers keep run going?
LeBron James had a modest 21 points in Game 1, but fortunately for him he didn’t have to be great. Neither did Anthony Davis who hurt his shoulder in the first half of the game, but returned for the final two quarters. LeBron will be happy his team stepped up in a night where he didn’t have another history making performance, but knows that the Lakers triumph when he and AD pace this LA team.
Game 1 recap
Despite being the two seed in the Western Conference, the Grizzlies didn’t come into this series as the overwhelming favorites. The Lakers were the hottest team in the league at the end of the regular season and continue to be the hottest team in the league after the first batch of Game 1s. Jaren Jackson Jr. looked like he was going to be the one to lead the Grizzlies to victory, even before the injury to Ja Morant. Jackson Jr. ended the game with 31 points, and had the Grizzlies up in the final quarter but Morant went down the the Grizzlies went south. The Lakers would score the final 16 points of the game, thanks to a sensation playoff debut from Austin Reeves who had 23 and Rui Hachimura who posted 29 off the bench.
We are live from Memphis
Hello everyone and welcome to FedEx Forum where the Grizzlies have been backed into to a corner after dropping Game 1 and losing home court advantage against the Los Angeles Lakers. Memphis is hoping for a bounce back after letting the lead slide in the final minutes of the opener. The big question coming into tonight is whether or not they will have their super star guard Ja Morant available tonight.
Lakers vs,. Grizzlies
It’s Game 2 tonight from Memphis and the Grizzlies are trying to play catch up after losing the series opener at home on Sunday afternoon. The Lakers are looking to double their advantage against the Grizz before going back to Cali, and AS English will be with you all night with live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of tonight’s must win game for Memphis.