Los Angeles Lakers 99 vs 116 Memphis Grizzlies live online: stats, scores and highlights | NBA Playoffs Game 5
The Memphis Grizzlies live to fight another day after defeating the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the first round of the Western Conference Playoffs. Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies in scoring for a second straight game, posting 33 points in the 116-99 win.
Ja and Bane show up in must win game
The bad news for Memphis heading into Wednesday night’s game is they lost back to back games in Los Angeles, which put them in a must win situation in Game 5. The good news was they would return home where they only lost six games at the FedEx Forum all season.
There were questions swirling around Memphis, after the Grizzlies lost all three games that Ja Morant was on the court for in this series. Ja made sure to squash those doubters early on as he and Desmond Bane jumped out of the gate and put the Grizzlies up big in the first quarter. Memphis would go on a 10-0 run to end the opening quarter to build up a 14 point lead that they would hold on for the rest of the game.
Anthony Davis rebounded from a subpar performance in Game 4, with 31 points and 19 rebounds but it wasn’t enough on a night that LeBron James looked a bit worn out after the overtime win on Monday night. James had just 15 points on 5/17 shooting.
Game 6 on Friday night
The Grizzlies were up by as many as 17 points in the second quarter, but they would let that lead slide in the third as LeBron and D’Angelo Russell heated up after the break. The Memphis advantage was trimmed down to a point with four minutes to go in the third quarter, but that would be as close as the Lakers would get.
Morant and Bane responded as the Griz went on a 25-2 run to end the third and stretch into the fourth quarter to pull ahead and stay ahead in what would turn out to be a comfortable win for Memphis. Bane was 12/21 in his second straight 30+ point night, while Morant had 31 in the Game 5 win.
The series shifts to Los Angeles for Game 6 on Thursday night from Crypto.com Arena. The Grizzlies will try to stay alive on the road, while the Lakers hope to complete a first round upset over the two seed in the West.
We are going back to Cali for Game 6, and the Grizzlies will be facing elimination again, this time on the road.
Jackson Jr. had 18 points in Game 5, including this three ball that was part of a 25-2 run that sealed the game for the Grizzlies.
Ja ended the night with 31, 10 and 7 rebounds and if he plays like he played in Game 5 for the rest of the series, the Grizzlies will have a great chance to comeback after going down 3-1
The Lakers cut into the one time 17 point lead down to a point, but Bane an Ja would rebound and go on a huge run to end the third and start the fourth quarter.
Look at Ja soar for the alley oop and just miss out on the poster of a lifetime on LeBron James.
Ja is dealing with an injured hand, and hurt his knee in Game 5, but nothing was stopping him from leading his team to victory in Memphis.
Kennard hits a couple early threes to help build the lead to double digits in the first quarter, but then left the game after injuring his shoulder.
The Grizzlies had not won a game with Ja on the court in this series, but that all changed on Wednesday night.
This Grizzlies highlight package is going to look like a Desmond Bane/Ja Morant highlight reel. Those two did everything for the Grizzlies in a must win game in Memphis.
IT'S ALL OVER!!! DESMOND BANE AND JA MORANT EXTEND THIS SERIES WHICH WILL GO BACK TO LA FOR GAME 6!
Beasley drops the three ball, but it comes way too late for LA.
Lofton out of the timeout and he gets the lay up as the starters will sit the last minute in a half.
Timeout Grizzlies with 1:24 to go.
Tillman with the jam on the break off the Morant bounce and this game is all over!
Morant gets fouled by Reaves and he hits both FTs.
Tillman saw the seas part and attacked the rack on the lay up.
Davis gets the one handed offensive board and he gets the put back to go.
Jackson Jr. with a lay up and that breaks a spell of 5 minutes without a FG for the Grizzlies.
Reaves hits the second FT out of the timeout.
Reaves to the line after the foul on Brooks and he hits one before the Grizzlies take a timeout with 4:04 to go in the fourth quarter.
Davis to the line after the foul on Jackson Jr. and he hits one of two FTs. Jackson Jr. just picked up his fifth.
Reaves with a take foul waiting for AD to get back and he send Bane to the line where he missed the FT. Morant missed the floater and another empty possession for the Grizzlies.
LeBron fires a pass to Davis on the baseline and he gets the reverse lay up to go. He fell hard on his tail bone and was slow to get up.
LeBron's air ball fell into the hands of Davis and he got the put back to go after a goldtend.
Reaves hits a three ball and the Grizzlies will take a precautionary timeout with 7:09 to go.
Reaves hits two FTs after the foul on Aldama.
Jackson Jr. drops a triple try and the Grizzlies are rolling on the offensive end!
Hachimura comes out of the timeout and hits a three from the corner!
Jones gets the rebound and releases Bane in the open court for an uncontested lay in on the break! He's got 33 tonight and the Lakers will take a timeout with 9:17 to go in the fourth quarter!
Beasley strokes a three after a couple of offensive rebounds and the Lakers need more of that.
Bane going back to the rack and he gets the lay up and the foul! FT is good and the run is up to 26-2!
Bane glides to the rack and gets the finger roll to go off the glass.
Jackson Jr. starts the quarter with a lay up and the run stretches to 21-2.
Morant ends the quarter two lay ups, the last of which went up and around Davis with 0.1 to go on the clock!
Memphis ended the quarter on a 19-2 run over the final 4 minutes.
Aldama strokes a three ball in the corner off the kickout from Morant!
Davis stops the 12-0 run with a short jumper in the lane.
A couple of offensive boards after the Tillman missed FT leads to a Bane three ball in the corner!
Tillman gets the bucket and one after almost jamming it over the top of Hachimura! It bounces in, and he gets the foul, but the FT was no good.
Jackson Jr. gets the roll on a three ball from the top of the key and the Grizzlies are on a 7-0 run after seeing their lead cut to 1.
Timeout Lakers with 2:41 to go in the third quarter.
Bane with the drive and the finger roll on the right side and he's got his first bucket of the third quarter.
Aldama with the tip in off the Morant miss on the lay up.
James goes to the line after the foul on Konchar and hits both FTs.
LeBron drops the three ball and he's got 7 in the quarter after just 6 in the first half.
Jackson Jr. down low and he gets the short shot to go in traffic.
James streaking to the rack out of the timeout and he gets the lay up to go.
Morant backing down Russell and gets the jump hook to go and gives Russell the too small gesture on his way back down the court!
Timeout Lakers with 6:00 to go in the third quarter.
Morant drills the three ball with Vanderbilt on the bench with 4 fouls!
Russell over the top to LeBron who had a mismatch down low and he gets the tip in to go.
Davis on the pick and roll with Russell and he hits the floater in the lane. He's got 22 on the night.
Jackson Jr. to the line after the foul on Vanderbilt and he hits both FTs.
Russell looks down low to Davis and he gets the reverse lay up to go underneath.
Brooks drills the three after being left wide open from downtown!
Russell to the line after the foul on Tillman and he hits one of two FTs.
Morant heard the whistle, went up with the shot and dropped it! FT is no good.
Russell with back to back triples and he's on an 8-0 run to start the third quarter!
Timeout Grizzlies with 10:17 to go in the third quarter!
Russell drills a three and is he about to get hot again like he got hot in the fourth quarter of Game 4?
Russell starts the half off with a floater from the FT line.
WE ARE BACK IN PLAY FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION IN GAME 5 FROM MEMPHIS!
The Grizzlies lead stretched to 17 at one point thanks to Ja's 18 and Bane's 21. They lead by 9 coming out of the break.
Look at the hang time Ja gets on this alley oop. He flies over LeBron and just missed getting the poster of a lifetime on the NBA's All-Time leading scorer.
Hachimura had 6 points off the bench in the first half, but the Grizzlies would go on a big run to end the first to extend the lead to 14.
Davis has responded after a forgettable night in LA last game. He's got 18 to lead the Lakers in the first half.
Kennard came off the bench and had two quick threes in a first quarter in which the Grizzlies shot 52% of their shots.
There were a lot of questions surrounding Ja Morant after the Grizzlies only win in the series came in the game that Morant sat out. Tonight he is one of the main reasons Memphis are up at half.
Bane leads all scorers with 21 points on 7/12 shooting, while Morant has 18 and 6 rebounds.
Davis leads the Lakers with 18 points and 10 rebounds and Reaves has 10, all coming in the second quarter. LeBron has just 6 points but he won't be quiet for too much longer.
We are headed to the halftime break with the Grizzlies up by 9! They led by as many as 17, but the Lakers are still hanging around.
Plenty to play for in the second half as Memphis looks to stay alive at the Forum.
David with a block on the Jackson Jr. three, and then runs the floor and finishes a lay up and a foul! FT is good to complete the spectacular play on both ends!
Morant pulls up from downtown and drills the three! He's got 18, just one less than his total in Game 4.
Reaves at the line after the foul on Konchar and he hits both FTs.
Morant crashing the boards and getting the tip slam off the Bane missed three!
Russell gets the rebound and runs the break hitting Vanderbilt for the lay up in transition. 8-0 run for the Lakers!
LeBron to the line after the foul on Brooks and he hits one of two FTs.
Reaves comes up with the loose ball and he lobs it up behind him for LeBron to polish off with the lay up!
Reaves comes out of the timeout and drills a deep triple from the top of the key!
Brooks knocks down a three ball off the fifth assist from Bane and the Grizzlies have their largest lead of the night at 17!
Timeout Lakers with 4:40 to go in the second quarter.
Bane drills the three ball and he is on fire! Grizzlies lead by 14!
Davis drills the mid range jumper and he's one of the few vias of offense for the Lakers in this second quarter.
Morant drives left and finishes with the right handed floater from outside the lane.
Reaves with the rebound and he hits Davis on the other end for the open jam.
Jones lobs it way up high and Morant goes soaring for the tip in and one out of the timeout! FT is good for the three point play!
Reaves with the floater down the lane and he's brining some energy to LA in this second quarter.
Memphis will take a timeout with 7:38 to go in the half.
Bane back at the line after the foul on Davis and he hits both FTs.
LeBron missed the lay.up but Davis was there with the tip slam! He's into double figures on the night.
Jones drills a three ball after the look from Bane and Bane is doing a little bit of everything in this first half!
LeBron at the line after the foul on Brooks and he hit one of two.
Gabriel gets the bucket under and one after the slip pass from Reaves! FT is good.
Bane running the break, and he finishes on the lay up! He's got 16 already
Reaves drops a three ball to start the second quarter!
At the end of the first quarter the Grizzlies are shooting 52% from the field and Bane leads all scorers with 14 points. Morant has another 8 and Kennard dropped two threes off the bench.
Davis leads the Lakers with 9 points, and Hachimura has 6 off the bench while LeBron has just 2.
Bane drills the buzzer beater from three point range to finish the first quarter with 14 points and the Grizzlies are on a 10-0 run!!
Kennard was left wide open in the corner and he punishes the Lakers with his second three ball of the night.
Bane hits the FT line jumper and he's got 11 already!
Bane at the line after the foul on Hachimura and he hits both FTs out of the timeout.
Hachimura on the slam and he's got 6 quick points off the bench. Remember, he was the game changer in Game 1, and he looks like he's in the mood tonight.
Timeout Lakers with 2:07 to go in the first quarter.
Hachimura driving to the rack and we are going back and forth here in the first quarter of Game 5!
Kennard drills a three ball fro the top of the key and he's on the board shortly after coming off the bench.
Tillman on the lay up off the assist from Bane!
Hachimura hits the FT line jumper to get on the board for the first time tonight.
Aldama with the tip in, following up his own miss off the attempted alley oop!
Davis drills a three ball in the corner with the shot clock winding down!
Morant with the dash to the rack and he looks like a different player then the player we saw in Game 4.
Jackson Jr. hits two FTs out of the timeout.
Russell onto the scoreboard with a mid range jumper and we are heading to a timeout with 6:01 to go in the first quarter!
Morant with back to back buckets after LeBron turned it over and Jackson Jr. hit Ja on the break.
Morant makes a dash to the rack and finishes with the lay up off the glass.
Davis going back to work, and it looks like someone or something lit a fire under him after a subpar Game 4.
Bane with a floater in the land and that's 7 for him already!
Davis drops the hook in the lane and the Lakers tie the game up.
Vanderbilt going back at the iron and he finishes with a slam off the James dump down.
Vanderbilt at the line after the foul on Jackson Jr. and he hits one of two FTs.
Jackson Jr. goes to the line after the foul on Davis and he hits both FTs.
Davis steaking to the lane after Reaves comes up with the loose ball under the bucket and he soars to the iron on the slam.
Bane drops a three ball and he's off to a quick start in this first quarter!
Brooks in the lane and he hits the floater off the Tillman assist.
Morant starting his night with a spectacular slam and the wrist looked just fine right there.
Vanderbilt gets his night going with a jam down the lane! He had 10 in the first quarter of Game 4.
Davis finds James on the back door cut for the wide open alley oop! What a way to start for the Lakers!
Bane gets us going with a FT line jumper after posting 36 in Game 4.
WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM MEMPHIS!!! THE GRIZZLIES NEED A HOME WIN TO KEEP THEIR SEASON ALIVE,.
If you've watched this entire series, then you have seen this starting five before. Darvin Ham has gone with this same squad all series, so if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Each of the five have played a big part in putting the Lakers up 3-1 coming into tonight.
Ja headlines the Grizzlies starting five tonight in a must win game from FedEx Forum, but will need Bane to have a second straight big night and Dillon Brooks to get under the skin of LeBron in front of the home fans.
Morant's status
There are plenty of questions swirling around the status of Ja Morant’s wrist. He came back from his injury in Game 3, and put up 45 points but last game that wrist looked like it was bothering him a little more. The Grizzlies will need Ja at his best tonight, and the healthier his wrist is the better for Memphis.
3-1 series history
In the entire history of the NBA, there have been just 13 teams to comeback from a 3-1 deficit. Ninety five percent of teams that jump out to such a lead close the series out in one of the final three games. The last time a team came back from 3-1 down was back in the 2020 playoffs when the Denver Nuggets did it in back to back series, first against Utah in the first round and then against the Clippers in the Western Conference Semis. Memphis will be hoping fortune is on their side this year, but they will have to do it against a red hot Lakers side.
Who is moving on already?
The Philadelphia 76ers were the first team to advance to the second round of the playoffs after sweeping the depleted Brooklyn Nets. Last night the Boston Celtics looked well on their way to knocking out the Atlanta Hawks, up 13 in the fourth quarter but Trae Young led a late charge to keep his team alive and force a Game 5 back in ATL. The Suns and the Nuggets both ended up advancing later on in the night, but both struggled to close out their desperate opponents. Minnesota kept it close all game, and the Clippers made a late charge to nearly mount an incredible comeback to stay alive in the series. What do we make of this? Closing out a series is not an easy thing to do, and the Lakers will find that out in Memphis tonight.
Can Memphis stay alive?
Ja Morant has only missed one game in this series after injuring his wrist on a nasty fall in Game 1. Unfortunately for him and the Grizzlies, the only game he missed was the game Memphis won. Tyus Jones led the Griz on a night where everyone produced in the absence of their star. Ja came back in Game 3 and scored 45, it wasn’t enough. Last game he had 19, as Desmond Bane led the way but there was still something missing. Tonight could be his last chance to prove that he is capable of leading the Grizzlies over the Lakers in a must win game, if not the speculators might start to target the Memphis superstar.
Lakers looking to close it out
Anthony Davis is a phenom. He has game changing ability, and is capable of putting up 30 and 10 on any night, but he doesn’t exactly bring it every night. He is the anchor of this team, even if he has the league’s All-Time leading scorer playing in the same front court. LA’s success depends on him. Maybe not in this series, but down the road AD is going to have to step up and become the man for the Lakers over the next few weeks.
Game 4 recap
The Lakers needed an extra session to take down the Grizzlies on Monday night. Desmond Bane threw the kitchen sink at LA in Game 4, scoring 36 points in a night that Ja Morant struggled to find his rhythm. Anthony Davis was shut down for three quarters, and LeBron had a slow night scoring but recorded his first 20-20 game in the playoffs scoring 22 and grabbing 20 rebounds. It looked like Bane won it on a transition bucket with 6 seconds to go, but that was just enough time to let Lebron tie it up with a buzzer beating lay up. In the extra session LeBron took over to give the Lakers a chance to close the series out tonight in Memphis.
We are live from the Forum
Hello everyone and welcome to Memphis, Tennessee where the second seed in the West are looking down the barrel of a gun after losing both games in Los Angeles. Tonight, they return to the Forum where they lost just six games all season, and that home record will be put to the test tonight against the hottest team in the league. Let’s not forget, Los Angeles went into the post season winning 9 of their last 11, and have won 3 of 4 to start this series. Tonight they can secure a spot in the Western Conference while bouncing the second seeded Grizzlies with a road win.
Lakers vs. Grizzlies Game 5
The Los Angeles Lakers are a win away from advancing to the second round of the Western Conference Playoffs as the seven seed as they come into Memphis looking for a Game 5 victory over a desperate Grizzlies. AS English will be with you all night providing live coverage, stats, highlights and analysis of tonight’s must win match up for the home side here from FedEx Forum.