LOS ANGELES (AP) — Anthony Davis had 40 points and 16 rebounds, LeBron James added 18 points in his return and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 116-110 on Sunday night.
James also had eight rebounds, eight assists and five turnovers in 34 minutes after missing the previous two games because of a left foot injury. He was away from the team most of last week due to personal reasons.
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Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) drives against Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) after a screen by center Zach Edey (14) as Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko (10) watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reacts after a three-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) drives against Los Angeles Lakers forward Cam Reddish (5) as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) shoots as Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell and forward LeBron James (23) watch during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) shoots a three-point basket against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis as forward Rui Hachimura (28) watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) gestures after making a three-point basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. looks away during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunks the ball as forward Anthony Davis (3), Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15), forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13), forward Brandon Clarke (15) and forward Jaylen Wells (0) watch during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with guard Austin Reaves (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunks the ball as forward Anthony Davis (3), Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) and forward Jaylen Wells (0) watch during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Austin Reaves scored 19 points for Los Angeles. The Lakers never trailed and led by 23 points in the second half.
Jaren Jackson Jr. scored 25 points for Memphis, which had won four in a row. Ja Morant had 20 points, Zach Edey added 13 points and 10 rebounds and Luke Kennard had 12 points.
Grizzlies: Memphis entered as the NBA’s highest-scoring offense but trailed 64-46 at the half and was down by at least two possessions the entire second half.
Lakers: James’ return energized Los Angeles, but Davis continues to carry the team. The 31-year-old power forward had 22 points and 10 rebounds in the first half. He briefly left in the third quarter because of shoulder injury, then returned in the fourth and scored 12 critical points down the stretch.
James scored his first points on a running one-handed dunk just over two minutes into the first quarter. He followed immediately with a block and added tip-in basket on the Lakers’ ensuing offensive possession to give Los Angeles a 9-2 lead.
Davis has had at least 30 points and 10 rebounds in three of his last four games.
Both teams are back in action Thursday night. The Grizzlies host Golden State, and the Lakers are at Sacramento.
AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) drives against Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) after a screen by center Zach Edey (14) as Los Angeles Lakers center Christian Koloko (10) watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) reacts after a three-point basket during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) drives against Los Angeles Lakers forward Cam Reddish (5) as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaylen Wells (0) shoots as Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell and forward LeBron James (23) watch during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) shoots a three-point basket against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis as forward Rui Hachimura (28) watches during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) gestures after making a three-point basket as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. looks away during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunks the ball as forward Anthony Davis (3), Memphis Grizzlies forward Brandon Clarke (15), forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13), forward Brandon Clarke (15) and forward Jaylen Wells (0) watch during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) celebrates with guard Austin Reaves (15) during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dunks the ball as forward Anthony Davis (3), Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) and forward Jaylen Wells (0) watch during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)
