The Los Angeles Lakers and the Memphis Grizzlies faced off in a thrilling Game 4 of the NBA playoffs on April 24, 2023, at the Crypto.com Arena. The game went into overtime, with the Lakers ultimately prevailing with a 117-111 victory, taking a 3-1 series lead.
The game started with the Lakers taking an early lead, outscoring the Grizzlies 29-23 in the first quarter. The Grizzlies fought back in the second quarter, but the Lakers managed to maintain their lead, heading into halftime with a 54-52 advantage.
The third quarter saw the Grizzlies putting up a strong offensive effort, outscoring the Lakers 31-27 to take a slim lead heading into the fourth quarter. The Lakers, however, were not to be outdone, and after being down at one point 90-97, they mounted a comeback in the final quarter to force the game into overtime with a 104-104 tie.
In overtime, both teams battled fiercely, but it was the Lakers who managed to pull ahead and secure the win. They outscored the Grizzlies 13-7 in overtime, sealing a hard-fought victory and putting them on the brink of advancing to the next round of the playoffs.
LeBron James, the Lakers' veteran forward, led the way with a near triple-double, finishing with 22 points, 20 rebounds, and 7 assists in 45 minutes of play. James was a force on both ends of the court, making key plays and showing his experience in crunch time. Austin Reaves, had another breakout performance with 23 points and 6 assists in 41 minutes of play.
For the Grizzlies, Desmond Bane had a career-high 36 points, along with 7 rebounds in 46 minutes of play. Ja Morant, the Grizzlies' young point guard, had 19 points, 4 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals in 44 minutes of play. Morant showed his playmaking ability and athleticism, creating scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates throughout the game.
Despite the Grizzlies' valiant effort, the Lakers' experience and composure proved to be the difference in the end. With the win, the Lakers took a commanding 3-1 lead in the series. Wednesday will see the two teams match up again, with the Lakers able to advance to the next round with a win.