Los Angeles Lakers defeat Memphis Grizzlies 117-112 in the Emirates NBA Cup West Group B opener at Crypto.com Arena, improving to 4-2. Luka Dončić: 44 PTS (16-28 FG, 6-12 3PT), 12 REB, 6 AST, 4 STL—career-high in Cup play. LeBron James sits (sciatica management, return mid-November). Grizzlies fall to 3-3; Ja Morant suspended (conduct, misses Nov 3).
Game Breakdown
First Quarter: Lakers jump 32-25 on Dončić step-back 3s, Reaves drives. Morant 12 PTS early. Shots: LAL 13-22, MEM 10-24.
Second Quarter: Grizzlies claw back—Bane 15 PTS, tie 58-58. Knecht rookie 3s spark 10-2 LAL run. Halftime: LAL 68-62.
Third Quarter: Dončić explosion—20 PTS, including 35-ft logo bomb. Lakers lead 98-88. Jackson Jr. dunks cut gap. Shots: LAL 60% FG.
Fourth Quarter: Memphis surges—Aldama 3s, down 110-109 (1:30 left). Dončić answers fadeaway, Reaves free throws seal. Final: LAL 117-112.
Ham: “Luka carried—defensive stops late.” Jenkins: “Morant absence hurt closing.”
Attendance: 18,997 sellout. TV: TNT peaks 5.2M viewers.
Key Performers
- Luka Dončić: 44 PTS ties Cup single-game record (Curry ’23). Post-game: “Cup matters—every win counts.”
- Austin Reaves: 22 PTS, 8 AST, clutch FTs.
- Desmond Bane: 28 PTS, 6-11 3PT—Grizzlies’ lone bright spot.
- Jaren Jackson Jr.: 20 PTS, 10 REB, 3 BLK.
Bench: Lakers +18 points; Grizzlies -5.
NBA Cup Context
West Group B: Lakers, Grizzlies, Suns, Thunder. East Group A: Knicks, 76ers, Magic, Hornets. Format: 4 group games (Nov 1-Dec 3), winners + wildcards to quarters (Dec 9-10 Vegas), semis/final Dec 13/16.
Lakers: 1-0 group; next vs. Suns Nov 5. Tiebreakers: Point differential (+5 tonight).
Prize: $500K per player winning team.
Team Impacts
- Lakers: 3 straight wins; West 4th seed. Dončić: 32.8 PPG early—MVP frontrunner sans LeBron. Depth shines—Knecht 15 PTS off bench.
- Grizzlies: Morant ban stings (1 game, $200K+ fine). 0-1 Cup; road woes (1-3). Bane: 25 PPG average.
Injuries: Lakers—James out 1-2 weeks; Grizzlies—Smart (ankle) questionable.
Stats Deep Dive
- FG%: LAL 52.3 (45-86), MEM 46.7 (43-92).
- 3PT: LAL 14-32 (43.8%), MEM 12-35 (34.3%).
- REB: LAL 48-42.
- AST: LAL 28-22.
- TO: MEM 16 (LAL 20 PTS off), LAL 10.
- Paint: LAL 52-48.
- Fast Break: LAL 18-12.
Pace: 102 possessions—high for both.
Betting & Fantasy
- Moneyline: LAL -180 covered.
- Spread: LAL -4.5 hit.
- O/U 228.5: Under.
- Props: Dončić O35.5 PTS (+110) cashed; Bane O4.5 3PM (-120) hit.
Fantasy: Dončić 70+ DK points; add Reaves (multi-cat). Waiver: Knecht (20% rostered).
Power Rankings & Next
West: 1. Spurs (6-0), 2. Thunder (5-1), 3. Lakers (4-2).
Next: Grizzlies host Nets Nov 4 (Morant back); Lakers at Suns Nov 5 (Cup Game 2).
Cup standings update nightly—Lakers lead Group B.
Dončić dazzles; Lakers Cup contenders emerge.
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