Dončić’s 44 Leads Lakers Past Grizzlies

The Los Angeles Lakers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 117-112 in their NBA Cup opener as Luka Dončić returned from a three-game absence to score 44 points with 12 rebounds and six assists. It was Dončić’s third straight 40-plus point game to start the season, a run compared to historic starts, and he carried the offense as the Lakers erased a 14-point halftime deficit. Deandre Ayton left at halftime with back spasms and did not return, with Jaxson Hayes and others absorbing his minutes. Marcus Smart’s defense and leadership were credited with sparking the turnaround — he is +45 through his first four games with the Lakers — while Ja Morant was held to eight points and Jock Landale, Jaylen Wells and Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis’ scoring. The win improved the Lakers to 4-2, and LeBron James remains out for the season with right-side sciatica.