Lakers guard Dennis Schröder, left, controls the ball in the course of the second half of the Lakers’ 122-121 comeback win over the Memphis Grizzlies at Crypto.com Arena on Friday. Schröder scored the successful basket off a steal within the ultimate seconds. (Ashley Landis / Associated Press)
Dennis Schröder sneaked in from behind, slapped the ball free and acquired the steal — perhaps the most important cease of the Lakers’ season.
The layup and the next free throw — these had been perhaps even greater.
Short-handed and, nicely, simply quick towards the towering Memphis Grizzlies, the Lakers absorbed each push from probably the greatest groups within the West.
But they by no means buckled. And as a doable tying free-throw from Brandon Clarke bounced off the rim, the Lakers did the inconceivable.
Somehow, on an evening when LeBron James struggled and the Grizzlies seemingly grabbed each doable rebound, the Lakers left the ground as winners, beating Memphis 122-121 and ending its 11-game successful streak.
“A hell of a sport,” Lakers coach Darvin Ham stated.
The win caps an eventful house stretch the place the Lakers misplaced tight video games to Dallas, Philadelphia and Sacramento whereas they performed with out Anthony Davis, Lonnie Walker IV and Austin Reaves.
The solely different win got here towards Houston.
“We’ve proven what we could be and what we are able to do,” Ham stated.
But Friday’s sport encapsulated a lot of Ham’s message over the last eight days — maintain working, maintain combating and a breakthrough will come.
Russell Westbrook scored 29, James fought to get 23 and Schröder completed with 19, eight rebounds and eight assists.
Memphis acquired 22 factors from Ja Morant however he wanted 29 photographs — the Lakers stopping him as he tried to make a tying shot with Westbrook defending.
“I do know I’m an excellent defender,” Westbrook stated.
Lakers guard Russell Westbrook tries to cross in entrance of Memphis Grizzlies heart Steven Adams, left, in the course of the first half Friday. (Harry How / Getty Images)
The win comes as extra excellent news might be on the best way.
The Lakers can fake to remain coy, making an attempt to take away a few of the stress of a timeline and restrict the potential of disappointment ought to there be a setback.
But all indicators continued to level to an eventual Davis return subsequent week — an important step for the group because it tries to kind out its future.
According to sources with data of the plan, ought to Davis stay pain-free in his rehabilitation from a trio of foot illnesses, he would return to the courtroom subsequent week in Los Angeles earlier than the Lakers depart on a five-game journey towards the Celtics, Nets, Knicks, Pacers and Pelicans.
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The Lakers haven’t publicly set a timetable for Davis’ return.
When he returns, the Lakers can have important floor to make up, good groups coming onto the Lakers’ house courtroom and leaving with tight wins. But Friday’s win over the Grizzlies confirmed the Lakers might recover from the hump towards high competitors.
The Lakers hung with the Grizzlies after Memphis broke out after a super-slow first quarter, however the NBA’s greatest protection smothered the Lakers and made each basket really feel earned.
With no Davis, Memphis feasted on the offensive glass, outscoring the Lakers 39-22 on second-chance factors.
It might’ve — most likely ought to’ve — meant a loss. Instead, it meant momentum.
Davis has missed 18 video games with a mix of foot accidents together with a bone spur and a stress response in his proper foot. Before his harm, he was averaging 27.4 factors, 12.1 rebounds, 1.3 steals and a pair of.1 blocks. Without Davis this season, the Lakers are 9-12.
Pregame, Ham wouldn’t element any of Davis’ restoration plan aside from that he was scheduled for a “1-on-0 exercise” Saturday.
“He’s responded nicely. Very nicely,” Ham stated pregame. “He’s progressing alongside as has been anticipated with the plan that was put in place and he’s trending in the correct course.”
Getting Davis again — and holding him on the courtroom — ought to give the Lakers readability as they head towards the Feb. 9 commerce deadline making an attempt to determine how aggressive to be.
“We’ve maintained all through the method there’s no timeline.” Ham stated pregame. “And we’re simply throwing various things at him.”
The Lakers ought to have information on Walker IV shortly as he will get his knee re-evaluated Saturday. Reaves, who’s out with a hamstring harm, is about for his re-evaluation in per week, Ham stated, saying Walker is nearer to a return.
The Lakers and the Grizzlies performed a bodily half of basketball that nearly prolonged into the half. Grizzlies gamers confronted former NFL tight finish and Fox Sports host Shannon Sharpe at halftime. Sharpe then had an argument with Tee Morant, Ja Morant’s father.
Sharpe was escorted to the again by safety earlier than returning to his courtside seat for the second half. Tee Morant and Sharpe embraced earlier than the beginning of the fourth quarter.
The struggle on the courtroom, particularly down the stretch, was much more fierce — the Lakers outsized and outmanned as they clawed for each free ball.
And once they wanted one most — a cease and finally a win — they managed to do it.
“You don’t know you are able to do it until you are able to do it,” Ham stated. “… It goes a great distance for our spirit, our mentality and our togetherness.”
This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Times.
