On Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers and Memphis Grizzlies clashed in Tennessee in a tightly contested battle, ultimately resulting in a 123–120 victory for the Lakers. LeBron James, a four-time NBA champion, led the charge with an impressive stat line of 37 points, nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals in 41 minutes of play, shooting 13 for 20 from the field and 3 for 7 from beyond the arc.

In addition to his stellar performance, James made NBA history during the game by surpassing Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant for third place on the all-time list of free throws made. With this achievement, James now sets his sights on surpassing Hall of Famer Moses Malone’s record next.

Congrats to

@KingJames of the @Lakers for moving to 3rd all-time in free throws made! pic.twitter.com/pCHeKPNZ8Z

— NBA (@NBA) April 13, 2024

Throughout the season, James has maintained remarkable consistency, averaging 25.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 8.2 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting an impressive 41.3% from three-point range and 54.0% from the field across 70 games.

Despite facing various challenges, the Lakers have secured the eighth seed in the Western Conference with a 46-35 record after 81 games. Looking ahead, they are set to face the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday, aiming to build on their recent success with a solid 7-3 record in their last ten games.

LeBron James & Co. Crashed Playoff Hope for the Grizzlies

On Friday night, the Los Angeles Lakers secured a narrow 123-120 victory over the struggling Memphis Grizzlies. LeBron James showcased his scoring prowess with 37 points, including six crucial points in the final minute, while also grabbing ten rebounds. Anthony Davis contributed significantly with 36 points and 14 rebounds, shooting 11 of 22 from the field after recovering from a left eye injury that sidelined him in the Lakers’ previous game against Golden State on Tuesday.

With this win, the Lakers extend their winning streak to two games, aided by James’ efficient shooting performance, making 13 of 20 shots. While the Lakers are assured of a spot in the Western Conference play-in round, they continue to vie for a favorable position in the standings alongside Sacramento and Golden State, who were also in contention for the eighth and tenth positions on Friday.

In contrast, the Grizzlies’ struggles persist as they fell to a 27-54 record after 81 games, placing them at the 13th seed in the Western Conference. Currently enduring a four-game losing streak and a 3-7 record in their last ten games, the Grizzlies’ chances of making it to the NBA Playoffs in 2024 appear bleak.