Lakers Clash with Grizzlies in High-Stakes NBA Cup Showdown
All eyes are on Memphis tonight as the Los Angeles Lakers roll into FedExForum to face the Grizzlies in what promises to be an electric NBA Cup matchup. It’s more than just another early-season game — this one carries extra weight, marking the start of group play in the league’s in-season tournament. Both teams enter the contest with identical 3-2 records, hungry to build momentum, and the storylines couldn’t be juicier.
The Lakers come in short-handed once again, still without LeBron James, who continues to recover from a lingering nerve issue. But there’s a glimmer of good news — Luka Dončić, who has missed the past three games nursing a knee and finger injury, has been upgraded to probable . His return could completely reshape the energy of this game. When Dončić has been on the court, the Lakers’ offense has flowed differently — calmer, more deliberate, and undeniably more dangerous.
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Memphis, meanwhile, is also navigating its own injury setbacks. Scotty Pippen Jr. (toe) and rookie center Zach Edey (ankle) remain sidelined. Still, Ja Morant has been nothing short of sensational to start the season. Through five games, he’s averaging over 23 points and 6 assists a night, putting his stamp on every possession. Just a few nights ago, Morant was unstoppable against Phoenix, dropping 28 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and handing out 7 assists in a thrilling 114–113 win. His explosiveness and ability to change pace have once again made him the heartbeat of this Grizzlies team.
Alongside him, Jaren Jackson Jr. has quietly been a stabilizing force, averaging nearly 18 points and 5 rebounds per game while anchoring the defense. His rim protection and floor spacing make him the perfect complement to Morant’s slashing style. When those two click, Memphis becomes one of the toughest outs in the West.
For the Lakers, the spotlight has shifted toward Austin Reaves — and he’s embraced it completely. With LeBron sidelined, Reaves has elevated his game to superstar levels, putting up eye-popping numbers: over 34 points, 10 assists, and 5 rebounds per game. His 51-point performance against Sacramento turned heads across the league, proving he’s capable of leading an offense on his own. Forward Rui Hachimura has also stepped up, averaging 16 points per night and delivering clutch scoring when the Lakers need it most.
According to SportsLine’s predictive model, Los Angeles enters as a narrow 2.5-point favorite, with the total set at 239.5 — signaling expectations of a fast-paced, high-scoring duel. The model, which has correctly forecasted thousands of NBA outcomes, even simulated this matchup 10,000 times and found it too close to call, though it slightly leans under the projected total.
Tip-off is set for 9:30 p.m. ET, streaming live on Prime Video. With both teams hungry, key stars returning, and NBA Cup stakes in play, fans can expect a charged atmosphere in Memphis — and possibly another instant classic between these two Western powerhouses.
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