The Los Angeles Lakers began the new year on a positive note, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 128-121 on Friday night, Jan. 2, 2026, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The result moves Los Angeles to 21-11, while Memphis drops the first of two consecutive meetings between the clubs.
Both rosters were short-handed due to injuries, but the Lakers seized early control. Marcus Smart drilled a three-pointer against his former team on the opening possession, and Christian Koloko followed with a dunk to make it 5-0. Luka Doncic then scored four straight points, and Jake LaRavia capped a 12-4 burst with a three, forcing a quick Grizzlies timeout.
LaRavia continued to punish his former club with a transition dunk that gave him nine early points and pushed the lead into double figures. Memphis answered when reserves Cam Spencer and Santi Aldama connected from deep, trimming the deficit. LeBron James and Nick Smith Jr. ended the first quarter with back-to-back threes, sending L.A. to a 39-31 advantage.
James maintained the momentum in the second period, restoring a double-digit cushion while Doncic rested. Smart, running the point, set up Jaxson Hayes and Jarred Vanderbilt for easy inside baskets, and LaRavia added more hustle plays. However, an 18-0 Grizzlies surge flipped the scoreboard before LaRavia stopped the run with another three. A late push from James sent the Lakers to halftime up 66-60.
Memphis opened the third quarter with six unanswered points to tie the game, and frequent whistles disrupted the flow. Doncic responded by finding his scoring groove, but a late spurt from Kentavious Caldwell-Pope left the contest even at 96 heading to the fourth.
The teams traded baskets for much of the final frame until Hayes hammered home a dunk off a James assist, energizing the crowd. Vanderbilt and LaRavia followed with three-pointers, creating the separation Los Angeles needed. James added a driving layup in the closing minute to secure the 128-121 decision.
Up Next
The clubs meet again Sunday night in Los Angeles before the Lakers embark on a road trip.
Source: LakersNation.com
