Doncic and James lead Lakers' rally to beat shorthanded Grizzlies 128-121

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Memphis Grizzlies center Christian Koloko, left, is hit in the face by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James as they wait for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., right, reacts after being called for a foul on Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) — Memphis Grizzlies center Christian Koloko, left, is hit in the face by Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James as they wait for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

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10:11 PM on Friday, January 2

By BETH HARRIS

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 34 points — half on free throws — and LeBron James added 31 as the Los Angeles Lakers rallied to beat the short-handed Memphis Grizzlies 128-121 on Friday night to open a two-game set.

The teams will meet again Sunday in Los Angeles.

Doncic had eight assists and six rebounds. James had nine rebounds and six assists. The superstars dominated the fourth quarter, highlighted by a 12-2 run that put it out of reach. Doncic scored four points and assisted on two 3-pointers while James closed out the spurt with a basket.

The Grizzlies were missing six players, including Zach Edey. They had six players in double figures.

Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 25 points to lead the Grizzlies, who have dropped four of six and fell two games under .500 on the road. Former Laker Kentavious Caldwell-Pope added 20 points. Ja Morant had 16 points and 11 assists coming off his 40-point game in an overtime loss to Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Jake Laravia had 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting and nine rebounds for the Lakers.

The Lakers blew a 15-point lead in the second quarter after the Grizzlies ran off 18 straight points to take a three-point lead, their first of the game. Caldwell-Pope hit two of the Grizzlies' four 3-pointers in the spurt with Jock Landale adding seven points.

Caldwell-Pope's back-to-back 3-pointers forced a 96-all tie going into the fourth.

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