Los Angeles Lakers’ LeBron James (6) and Anthony Davis (3) celebrate a basket by James in overtime in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Memphis Grizzlies Monday, April 24, 2023, in Los Angeles. The Lakers won 117-111. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Los Angeles Lakers protected their home court and took an authoritative 3-1 lead with their 117-111 win against the Memphis Grizzlies in overtime.
For the first time in his career, Lakers forward LeBron James made 20 rebounds. With his 22-point and 20-rebound performance, he becomes the oldest player to score over 20 points and 20 rebounds in a playoff game. The late great Wilt Chamberlain set the previous record on May 10, 1973, at 36; James is 38.
“These are moments that I love, I love the postseason,” James said. “Go out there to make plays together with my teammates to give them experiences that they’ve never had before.”
James recalled a conversation he had with guard Austin Reaves about the NBA playoffs.
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“This is [Reaves] first playoff series and … he was talking about how much he loved this,” James said. “He said this is the greatest thing he’s ever been a part of in his life basketball-wise … that brought a lot of joy to me.”
Reaves led the Purple and Gold with 23 points. While at the free throw line, Laker fans showered him with thunderous “MVP” chants.
“I’ve said many of times, I’m clearly not in the MVP race … I believe they love the way that I play,” Reaves said. “I’m gonna give it everything I got.”
Memphis launched into a 10-4 run to start the game. Runs by forward Jarred Vanderbilt kept the Lakers competitive.
Lakers forward Jarred Vanderbilt leads all scorers with 10 points and two blocks against the Memphis Grizzlies at the end of the first quarter
— Amanda Scurlock (@Amandtastic) April 25, 2023
Los Angeles had foul trouble as both Reaves and Davis earned their third foul in the second quarter. The Lakers went cold offensively, allowing Memphis to come within two points by halftime.
Memphis guard Ja Morant tied the game at 66, which started a seven-point run for the Grizzlies. Memphis maintained their lead going into the fourth.
The Lakers found themselves in a seven-point deficit and guard D’Angelo Russell kept the Lakers in the game by making three consecutive three-point shots.
Los Angeles Lakers’ Jarred Vanderbilt (2) drives to the basket under defense by Memphis Grizzlies’ Ja Morant (12) during the first half in Game 4 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series Monday, April 24, 2023, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
“We were flailing at best offensively and he was able to catch fire,” Ham said. “He put us on his back offensively and put us back in position to have a chance to close the gap, eclipse it, and walk away with the win.”
James tied the game at 104 with 0.1 seconds left, forcing overtime. The Purple and Gold started the fifth phase with a 5-2 run and never looked back.
“I’m all about getting wins no matter how I do it, how he do it,” Davis said. “Things aren’t always gonna be perfect, sometimes you’re gonna win ugly.”
Game Five will be in Memphis on April 26 at 7:30 P.M. Securing one more win will not be easy, according to Davis.
“We know that we can win there, we’ve done it,” Davis said. “Close-out games are always the toughest, especially when you’re on the road.”
