The Memphis Grizzlies and the visiting Los Angeles Lakers enter Friday’s game, their first in NBA Cup play, with momentum gained in the same fashion.
The Grizzlies won 114-113 Wednesday at Phoenix on a floater in the lane by Ja Morant in the closing seconds. The Lakers won 116-115 Wednesday at Minnesota on a floater in the lane by Austin Reaves, who continues to provide superstar-like contributions for Los Angeles while stars LeBron James and Luka Doncic are sidelined by injury.
James has yet to appear in his 23rd NBA season while battling right-side sciatica. He’s slated for a mid-November return. Doncic was knocked out of commission while racking up 49 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists on Oct. 24 against Minnesota. He’s dealing with a sprained finger and a lower left-leg contusion and is questionable for Friday’s game.
In their absence, Reaves has stepped to the forefront. He poured in a career-high 51 points on Sunday against Sacramento and 41 the following day against Portland. In Wednesday’s win over Minnesota, he tied a career high with 16 assists.
Reaves averaged 40 points and 10 assists over the last three games — the first time a Laker has posted those numbers in a three-game span since Jerry West in March 1970. Reaves also owns 171 points and 50 assists through the first five games, which joins West and Magic Johnson as the only Lakers to stack at least 170 points and 50 assists in any five-game stretch.
Reaves understands how his role changes whenever James and/or Doncic aren’t available.
“It’s a different responsibility because they do so much for our team,” Reaves said. “But when we don’t have them, the responsibility changes. It’s different in the sense of how I have to play and conduct myself. I can’t get frustrated because everyone is looking at me. In those situations, you have to be calm and be confident and lead your guys.”
Reaves was quick to give credit to others who have increased their contributions. Former Grizzlies reserve Jake LaRavia, signed by the Lakers during the summer, started Wednesday against Minnesota and had 27 points while hitting 10 of 11 shots from the field.
“Jake was monstrous,” Reaves said. “I think that’s the best game I’ve seen him play since he’s been in the league.”
The Grizzlies have been working around early-season injuries, too. Starting center Zach Edey is recovering from offseason ankle surgery and won’t be available until late November or early December. Key reserve guards Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) and Ty Jerome (calf) are both out. Pippen is expected to be re-evaluated around mid-January, while Jerome will be looked at again in late November.
In its win at Phoenix, Memphis didn’t shoot the ball well and suffered 17 turnovers. But the Grizzlies were able to survive blowing a double-digit advantage late in the fourth quarter.
While Morant dropped in the game-winner during a 28-point night — and a 10-point fourth quarter — rookie Cedric Coward continued his strong play off the bench and may soon find himself in the starting lineup. Coward had 14 points, four rebounds and a block against the Suns.
Memphis finished with 42 bench points, an impressive number with so many key players sidelined. Santi Aldama had 14 points, 10 rebounds and five assists to lead that group.
“We are going to make shots,” Aldama said. “We’ve just got to keep trusting what we’re doing.”
