Lakers crush Grizzlies in Game 6, advance to 2nd round
D’Angelo Russell scores a career playoff-high 31 points, Anthony Davis has a dominant defensive performance and LeBron James scores 22 in a 125-85 win. Game 1 at Golden State or Sacramento will be Tuesday.
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell celebrates after a basket during the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers star Anthony Davis blocks a shot attempt by Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant from behind during the first quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves grabs a loose ball in front of the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr., left, and Desmond Bane during the first quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward LeBron James makes a shot as Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant defends during the first quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward LeBron James, right, watches his shot go in as Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant defends during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward LeBron James disputes a foul call by official Tony Brothers during the first quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers star Anthony Davis looks for a shot as the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. defends during the first quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forwards LeBron James, right, and Anthony Davis defend as Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant handles the ball during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell reaches for the ball as the Memphis Grizzlies’ Xavier Tillman defends during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward LeBron James, left, defends as the Memphis Grizzlies’ Santi Aldama handles the ball during the first quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers star Anthony Davis assists on a basket by D’Angelo Russell during the first quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant drives to the basket in front of Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward LeBron James, center, drives as the Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant, left, and Xavier Tillman defend during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward LeBron James makes his way down the court after a basket during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers guard Dennis Schroder drives as Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane defends during the first quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr., left, vies for a rebound with the Lakers’ LeBron James (6) and Anthony Davis (3) during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward LeBron James prepares to throw down a reverse dunk in front of the Memphis Grizzlies’ Santi Aldama during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James throws down a reverse dunk in front of the Memphis Grizzlies’ Santi Aldama during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James throws down a reverse dunk in front of the Memphis Grizzlies’ Santi Aldama during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. James had 22 points, six assists and five rebounds and shot 9 for 13 from the field in a 125-85 series-clinching win. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Actor and longtime Lakers fan Jack Nicholson watches from courtside for the first time in a while during the first quarter of Game 6 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward LeBron James grabs a rebound during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks takes a shot as Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, right, defends during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis takes a shot as the Memphis Grizzlies’ Santi Aldama defends during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves, top, blocks a shot by Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers star Anthony Davis, right, takes a shot as the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. defends during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves shoots as Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant defends during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves celebrates after making a 3-point shot during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James passes the ball while under pressure from the Memphis Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane, left, and Tyus Jones, right, during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura takes a shot during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James watches from across the court during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers coach Darvin Ham congratulates LeBron James, center, during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, right, leaps to block a shot by the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves drives between the Memphis Grizzlies’ John Konchar, left, and Dillon Brooks during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura dunks during the first quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura celebrates his dunk as the Memphis Grizzlies’ Tyus Jones, left, watches during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, left, celebrates his dunk next to the Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward LeBron James looks to pass as the Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks defends during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves takes a shot in front of Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell looks to pass the ball while under pressure from the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr., right, and Xavier Tillman during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt takes a shot during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James, left, is fouled by the Memphis Grizzlies’ Xavier Tillman during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James reacts after being fouled by the Memphis Grizzlies’ Xavier Tillman, not pictured, during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell takes a shot in front of the Memphis Grizzlies’ Santi Aldama during the first half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, right, blocks a shot attempt by Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant during the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant loses the ball as he is double-teamed by Lakers forwards Anthony Davis, left, and LeBron James during the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis, right, blocks a shot attempt by the Memphis Grizzlies’ Santi Aldama during the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward LeBron James, center, is fouled by the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr., left, during the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt, right, gets a gentle push from teammate D’Angelo Russell after Vanderbilt dunked during the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves tosses in a reverse layup during the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves, center, and forward LeBron James celebrate after Reaves scored during the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks looks on during the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward LeBron James looks to pass as the Memphis Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane, center, and Jaren Jackson Jr., left, defend during the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt loses a loose ball during the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers guard Dennis Schroder, left, fouls Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane during the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell celebrates after a basket during the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis dunks over the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) during the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers forward Anthony Davis celebrates his dunk as the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr. falls to the court during the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins sits on the bench during the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Lakers’ Anthony Davis, center, fires up the fans during the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane goes up for a shot as Lakers forwards Rui Hachimura, left, and Anthony Davis defend during the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers star Anthony Davis, right, knocks the ball away from Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant during the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Lakers’ Anthony Davis, left, LeBron James, center, and Austin Reaves celebrate during the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Lakers coach Darvin Ham watches from the sidelines during the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers guard Austin Reaves looks to pass as the Memphis Grizzlies’ Jaren Jackson Jr., left, and Ja Morant, center, during the third quarter of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks, left, and Ja Morant talk on the sideline during the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks, center, and his teammates watch from the bench during the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
From left, the Memphis Grizzlies’ Luke Kennard, Dillon Brooks and Ja Morant watch from the bench during the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell celebrates a play during the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers stars LeBron James, left, and Anthony Davis react from the bench after a teammate made a 3-point shot during the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks, right, Desmond Bane, center, and Xavier Tillman watch from the bench during the second half of Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Lakers coach Darvin Ham, back, hugs Memphis Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins after Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks, right, and the Lakers’ Malik Beasley greet each other after Game 6 of their first-round playoff series on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Young Lakers fans wait for the start of Game 6 of the team’s first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Actor Jack Nicholson sits courtside during the first half of Game 6 of the Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. It was Nicholson’s first appearance at a game since the 2021-22 season opener. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura warms up before Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Actor/comedian Larry David, center, watches during the first half of Game 6 of the Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Lakers star LeBron James warms up before Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Actors Jason Bateman, left, and Will Arnett watch during the first half of Game 6 of the Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant warms up before Game 6 of their first-round playoff series against the Lakers on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Actor Jack Nicholson, center, and his son Ray watch Game 6 of the Lakers’ first-round playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday night at Crypto.com Arena. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
LOS ANGELES — The Lakers handled their business in no uncertain terms on Friday night, dispatching the Memphis Grizzlies swiftly and certainly in Game 6 of their first-round playoff series at Crypto.com Arena. It was close for a few minutes, but then the Lakers rocketed away to the second round.
The Lakers’ decisive 125-85 victory and 4-2 series win was nostalgic in so many ways, not the least of which was the dominating way in which they overwhelmed a talented but ultimately overmatched opponent. The Lakers were seventh-seeded and the Grizzlies were seeded second.
Upset?
Maybe.
Maybe not.
The Lakers advanced to meet the winner of the Golden State Warriors-Sacramento Kings series in the second round. The Kings forced the Warriors to a winner-take-all Game 7 on Sunday afternoon in Sacramento with a 118-99 victory in Game 6 on Friday in San Francisco.
When it was over Friday and the cheers faded from a sellout crowd of 18,997 that included Jack Nicholson for the first time since opening night in 2021-22, LeBron James delivered a message to his Lakers teammates about completing one step and taking the next one against either Golden State or Sacramento.
“We’ve got a young ballclub with not much experience in the postseason,” James later explained to reporters. “So, I just tried to give my knowledge about what I’ve been through and what they can expect. As hard as this series felt and as hard as this series was, it gets even harder when you move a level up. We were able to conquer level one, now we move to level two. It gets harder and harder.
“They understood that and they’ll be ready for it.”
To be sure, James and Anthony Davis presented problems the Grizzlies couldn’t solve at various points during the series, and their championship pedigree should not be overlooked in a playoff game with so much at stake. The Grizzlies, talented but inexperienced (and missing two key frontcourt players for the entire series), were unprepared for what hit them.
James scored 22 points on 9-for-13 shooting, Davis had 16 points, 14 rebounds and five blocked shots, and D’Angelo Russell set a playoff career high with 31 points on 12-for-17 shooting (5 for 9 from 3-point range). James and Davis sat out the entire fourth quarter after the Lakers built a 100-67 lead by the end of the third.
James and Davis are 5-0 in playoff series with the Lakers when they’ve been healthy enough to play each of the games together. Russell’s addition, after a trade deadline deal, paid dividends during a stretch run that included a 10-2 record heading into their first-round playoff series, but especially in Game 6.
The Lakers’ best players were their best players when it mattered most Friday.
“Just coming with the energy, the effort, the urgency,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham said of a comprehensive win and his first playoff series victory in his first season as an NBA head coach. “Every possession we played on our toes, not on our heels. We were great on transition, great in the pick-and-roll.”
Santi Aldama scored 16 points in a reserve role for the Grizzlies, and Desmond Bane had 15 points. Jarred Vanderbilt, with help from his Lakers teammates, limited Ja Morant to only 10 points on 3-for-16 shooting. Bane and Morant played only 2:18 in the fourth quarter, with the outcome decided.
Memphis was never in the game after falling behind by 20 points in the first half.
“We had plenty of chances, didn’t make enough plays, but credit the Lakers, they did a phenomenal job and shout out to Darvin Ham and that staff,” Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins said. “They’ve done an unbelievable job throughout the season. They had a great game plan defensively, great game offensively. The chess matches from game to game and stuff, he’s done a phenomenal job.”
It was the Lakers’ first series-clinching victory on their home court since they defeated the Denver Nuggets in seven games in the first round in 2012. They won the franchise’s 17th NBA championship in the pandemic bubble in 2020 in Orlando, Fla., beating the Miami Heat with only family members in attendance.
Russell got the Lakers pointed in the right direction Friday by scoring 10 of their first 25 points, making five of his first seven shots and helping them to a 25-16 lead with a 3-pointer that forced Memphis to call a timeout with 2:45 left in the first quarter. The Lakers were in control from that point.
Russell hit 3-pointers on consecutive trips early in the third and Vanderbilt added one of his own moments later to extend the Lakers’ lead to 68-45 and force the Grizzlies to take a timeout with 10:21 left in the quarter. The crowd was in a celebratory mood by then, roaring ever louder.
“It just happens like that, honestly,” Russell said of his sizzling shooting. “You’ve got a lot of great talent in the playoffs from the first round to the second round to the third round. To dominate the game the way you dominate the game during the regular season is tough. It’s tough. To finally make some (shots) is definitely a good feeling, but the win was better, to be honest.”
The Lakers won all three of their home games in the series, and the final victory was an impressive demonstration of their capabilities when James and Davis (who blocked 26 shots in the series) are both healthy alongside their full supporting cast.
“It was definitely a Game 7 mentality for us,” James said. “We understood that we had an opportunity to play in front of our fans, and we wanted to try to end it tonight. We came out with discipline. From the start of the game, we were just locked in on our game plan all the way until the final seconds.”
The chance to avoid a third cross-country flight for a winner-take-all game in Memphis on Sunday was motivation as well.
“We didn’t want to go back to Memphis, to say the least,” said Austin Reaves, who had 11 points, eight assists and six rebounds. “We wanted to end it tonight, home court, so we were super locked-in.”
NOTES
James won his 40th career playoff series, tying Derek Fisher for the most in NBA history. … The Lakers have won 14 of their last 18 games. … The 86-year-old Nicholson’s return was the highlight of a celebrity-studded night at courtside, where he watched his beloved team from his usual seat alongside his son. The Oscar-winning actor received a huge ovation from his fellow supporters whenever his face appeared on the scoreboard. … Kyrie Irving was in attendance and got a big hug from James before the game. Irving, who sat across from the Lakers’ bench, is a free agent this summer, and he has been linked to a reunion with James repeatedly in recent years. … Grizzlies sharpshooter Luke Kennard sat out with a sore shoulder, further hurting the depth on a roster already missing Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke. Kennard got a stinger in Game 5.
LeBron James (22 PTS, 6 AST) and Anthony Davis (16 PTS, 14 REB, 5 BLK) get it done in the Game 6 win!
“To be on top and go with this franchise to the next round and get another opportunity to control what we want to control, it’s a blessing honest.” D’Angelo Russell speaks on advancing to the next round with @LakersReporter. pic.twitter.com/odNPKWogdg
“You have fun with the game when the game provides you with fun.” Austin Reaves is trying to make the most out of his first #LakeShow playoff run. pic.twitter.com/u15doASbvH
Elliott Teaford covers the Los Angeles Chargers for the Orange County Register and the Southern California News Group. He covered the Anaheim Ducks for 19 seasons, including eight of the past 10 for SCNG. He covered their Stanley Cup championship team in 2006-07. He also covered the Lakers for five seasons, including their back-to-back NBA championships in 2008-09 and 2009-10, and the Clippers for one. He is a Long Beach State graduate.
