The Los Angeles Lakers are one win away from a first-round shock of the Memphis Grizzlies thanks to an older version of LeBron James.
Update Injury Los Angeles Lakers – Memphis Grizzlies
Dillon Brooks’ ranting, not to mention his below-the-belt pounding, has only pushed the 38-year-old James to greater heights. He’ll seek to help the Lakers wrap out the Western Conference series against the Grizzlies in Game 5 on Wednesday night.
The Lakers took a 3-1 series lead with a 117-111 overtime home triumph on Monday night, putting second-seeded Memphis on the verge of elimination.
For the first time in his 19-year NBA career, James recorded 22 points and 20 rebounds. For the seventh-seeded Lakers, he also had seven assists and two blocked shots.
“I’ve done some pretty cool things in my career. I’ve never had 20 and 20 before,” James said. “So, that’s pretty cool, I guess.”
Brooks irritated James with his comments during Game 2, referring to the four-time MVP as “old” and claiming that his quality of play had dramatically decreased.
James did not reply publicly, but he has done so through his play in an increasingly tense series.
James (foot) is expected to play in Game 5 on Wednesday, according to Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times.
James, Anthony Davis, and Dennis Schroder are all classified as probable, though they’ve all played in every game of the first-round series so far.
During the series, James has averaged 24 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and 1.8 blocks.
Meanwhile, while Davis struggled offensively in Game 4, he has averaging 19.5 points, 12.0 rebounds, 4.8 blocks, 2.5 assists, and 1.8 steals in 39.0 minutes in four games against Memphis.
The Memphis Grizzlies are having a rough time right now. After being one of the better teams all season, they now find themselves facing a 3-1 series disadvantage. Can they be a club that does something only 13 teams in NBA history have done and come back to win?
Technically, yes, but after seeing these four games, it appears doubtful. They don’t exactly exude the aura of a squad capable of winning three straight games versus LeBron and company.
Ja Morant, the team’s star point guard, scored 19 points despite aggravating an injury to his right hand.
I realize Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke are injured, and I recognize how important they were to the Grizzlies’ success, but everyone gets hurt this time of year.
I don’t think that excuses Ja Morant or any other Grizzlies from acting the way they did all year. You can’t achieve that and then lose to a 7 seed in what will almost certainly be a gentlemen’s sweep.
Injury Report Grizzlies:
| PLAYER | INJURY | STATUS |
| Jake LaRavia | Calf | Expected to be out until at least Apr 28 |
| Steven Adams | Knee | Expected to be out until at least Jul 1 |
| Brandon Clarke | Achilles | Out for the season |
Injury Report Lakers:
| PLAYER | INJURY | STATUS |
| LeBron James | Foot | Game Time Decision |
| Dennis Schroder | Achilles | Game Time Decision |
| Anthony Davis | Foot | Game Time Decision |
