The Los Angeles Lakers found their rhythm again, and it came with the return of their new superstar. Luka Doncic marked his comeback from injury with a dazzling 44-point performance, powering the Lakers to a 117-112 road win over the Memphis Grizzlies in their NBA Cup opener on Friday night.
After missing three games with a sprained finger and leg contusion, Doncic wasted no time reminding everyone why he’s one of the league’s most unstoppable forces. He added 12 rebounds and six assists while shooting with the poise and precision that kept Memphis on its heels all night.
Without LeBron James, who sat out due to sciatica, the Lakers leaned heavily on Doncic’s creativity and shotmaking. Austin Reaves chipped in 21 points while Jake LaRavia added 13 in a supporting role. The Lakers erased a 14-point halftime deficit and controlled the game’s final stretch with a blend of composure and pace orchestrated by their Slovenian maestro.
Memphis, meanwhile, squandered what looked like a promising start. The Grizzlies rode a 27-4 second-quarter surge to build a 69-55 cushion at the break, but their offense sputtered when it mattered most. Jock Landale and Jaylen Wells led the team with 16 apiece, while Jaren Jackson Jr. tallied 15. Ja Morant endured one of his roughest outings of the season, finishing with just eight points on 3-for-14 shooting, though he managed seven assists.
The momentum shifted dramatically in the third quarter as Doncic took over, scoring 16 in that frame alone. By the start of the fourth, the game had already seen 14 lead changes and seven ties — but when the dust settled, it was Doncic’s poise that defined the night.
“Every win counts, especially when you’re trying to build chemistry,” Doncic said postgame. “We just kept believing.”
With the win, the Lakers opened their NBA Cup campaign with a statement, proving they can win even without their veteran cornerstone — as long as Luka Magic is running the show.