Ja Morant’s third-quarter burst leads Grizzlies past Lakers

MEMPHIS,Tenn. (AP) — Ja Morant scored 28 of his 39 points in the thirdquarter and added 10 assists and 10 rebounds, and the MemphisGrizzlies beat the Los Angeles 121-109 on Tuesday night in theLakers’ first game since LeBron James injured his right foot.

XavierTillman finished with 18 points and 11 rebounds for Memphis, whileJaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane scored 16 points apiece.

Anthony Davisled the Lakers with 28 points and 19 rebounds, while Lonnie WalkerIV scored 21 points. Austin Reaves had 17, while matching hisseason high with four 3-pointers.

Morant tookover in the third quarter ,connecting on 10 of 12 shots. That brokeopen a close game and gave the Grizzlies a 93-84 advantage enteringthe fourth.

Memphis wouldclick off eight straight points to take the first double-digit leadin the game as Brandon Clarke scored on a dunk off the Lakers’ 22ndturnover with 9:14 left. The lead would eventually reach 106-92with about nine minutes left.

But using a3-point shooting streak, the Lakers cut the Memphis lead to 110-106on a three-point play by Davis. Memphis would answer by stretchingthe lead back to 118-106, enough to claim its second straightvictory.

James’injury, suffered in Sunday’s win over Dallas, left the Lakerswithout their leading scorer at 29.7 points per game. They don’tknow how long he will be out.

Los Angelesshot 37% and Memphis 33% in the first half. The Grizzlies held asix-point lead, the biggest of the half for either team.

TIP-INS

Lakers: Inaddition to James, G D’Angelo Russell missed his second game with aright ankle sprain. ...Recorded five blocks in the second quarter..

Grizzlies:Morant was 3 of 14 in the first half, including missing all four3-point attempts. ...Have won five straight at home and are 26-5 atFedExForum.

JAMESINJURY UPDATE

Lakers coachDarvin Ham said the team continues to evaluate the right-footinjury to James and he had no definite timetable for his return.But he said the team continues to strive for the postseason despitethe injury. The Lakers are only a half-game out of the play-in gameand 2 1/2 from sixth-place Dallas.

“It’s a hugeblow to have LeBron injured,” Ham said. “We’re going to keep going,and it’s full steam ahead with the goals we set for ourselves.”

The Lakerscoach added that the organization would not return James to actionuntil he is cleared by the medical staff.

UPNEXT

Lakers: PlayWednesday at Oklahoma City

Grizzlies:Travel to Houston to play the Rockets on Wednesday.