National Basketball Association
L.A. Lakers 121, Memphis 118
When: 9:30 PM ET, Sunday, October 24, 2021
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, California
Officials: #8 Marc Davis, #67 Brandon Adair, #34 Kevin Cutler
Attendance: 18997

Carmelo Anthony scored 28 points off the bench to help lift the Los Angeles Lakers to a 121-118 win against the visiting Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday evening.

Anthony Davis had 22 points, eight rebounds and four blocks, LeBron James finished with 19 points, six rebounds and six assists, and Russell Westbrook had 13 points and 13 assists for the Lakers, who avoided starting 0-3 for the second time in four years.

Ja Morant had 40 points and 10 assists, Desmond Bane scored 17 points and Steven Adams contributed 14 points and 16 rebounds for the Grizzlies, who were trying to start 3-0.

Morant had a chance to tie the score with 1.9 seconds left after getting fouled on a desperation 3-point attempt. He made the first two free throws, but missed the third.

Anthony grabbed the rebound and was fouled. He sank both free throws to seal the win. Anthony, who went 6-for-8 from 3-point range, passed Moses Malone for ninth all-time in NBA scoring.

Anthony made a high-arcing 3-pointer to give the Lakers a 97-94 lead with 9:03 left in the game. He was left alone on the next possession and made a wide-open 3-pointer to make it 100-94 with 8:22 remaining.

Morant and James traded 3s before Malik Monk made a 3 for a 106-97 lead with 7:03 to go.

The Lakers had a chance to extend the lead back to double figures, but Monk missed a driving layup with 6:26 left and Melton capped a 5-0 run with a 3-pointer to cut the lead back to 106-102 with 5:37 left.

Both teams held double-digit leads in the first half before the game stayed tight in the third quarter. The Grizzlies eventually took a 90-87 lead into the fourth.

The Lakers fell behind by 10 points five minutes into the game, but found their touch with help from Anthony, who replaced starting center DeAndre Jordan and scored the final five points in a 7-0 run to close the opening quarter and give the Lakers a 29-24 lead.

Anthony then sank a 3-pointer on the first possession of the second quarter to extend the Lakers' run to 10-0 and give them a 32-24 lead.

--Field Level Media

Top Game Performances
 
Memphis   L.A. Lakers
Ja Morant 40 Scoring Carmelo Anthony 28
Ja Morant 10 Assists Russell Westbrook 13
Steven Adams 16 Rebounds Anthony Davis 8
Ja Morant 9 Free Throws Made Anthony Davis 5
De'Anthony Melton 3 Steals Russell Westbrook 4
Jaren Jackson Jr. 2 Blocks Anthony Davis 4
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Memphis 118 45.0 13-35 15-18 25 49 4 13 17
L.A. Lakers 121 53.6 16-30 15-22 29 36 12 10 17
Upcoming Games
  • L.A. Lakers will play their next game on the road against San Antonio. The Lakers have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .333 after a loss.
  • Memphis will play their next game on the road against Portland. The Grizzlies have a W/L % of .500 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.