The Memphis Grizzlies vs Lakers Match Player Stats on March 29, 2025, was a nail-biter that had fans on the edge of their seats. With both teams fighting for playoff positioning in the Western Conference, this Southwest Division clash at FedExForum was more than just a regular-season game—it was a statement. The Lakers walked away with a 134-127 victory, but the player stats tell a story of grit, talent, and some jaw-dropping moments. Let’s break down the game, dive into the stats, and explore what made this matchup so special.
This article is written in a simple, conversational tone so anyone—whether you’re a die-hard NBA fan or just curious about basketball—can enjoy it. We’ll use tables to make the stats clear and easy to follow, and we’ll sprinkle in some fun insights to keep things lively. Ready? Let’s tip off!
Why This Game Mattered
The Grizzlies and Lakers entered this game with identical 44-29 records, making it a crucial battle for playoff seeding. The Lakers, led by their star trio of LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves, were coming off a tough last-second loss to the Chicago Bulls. Meanwhile, the Grizzlies were reeling from a shocking front-office move: head coach Taylor Jenkins, the winningest coach in franchise history, was fired just 24 hours before tip-off. Interim coach Tuomas Iisalo stepped into a high-pressure debut against one of the NBA’s most iconic teams.
The game was a rollercoaster of momentum swings, with the Lakers building a 20-point lead in the first half only to see the Grizzlies claw back in the fourth quarter. Both teams showcased their offensive firepower, combining for 261 points and a flurry of three-pointers. Let’s dive into the player stats to see who shined, who struggled, and what defined this epic clash.
Key Player Stats: Lakers
The Lakers’ victory was powered by their “Big Three”—Austin Reaves, Luka Dončić, and LeBron James—who combined for 85 points. But it wasn’t just the stars who delivered; role players like Gabe Vincent and Dorian Finney-Smith stepped up big. Here’s a detailed look at the Lakers’ top performers:
|
Player |
Minutes |
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Steals |
Blocks |
FG% |
3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Austin Reaves |
36 | 31 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 50% | 40% |
|
Luka Dončić |
34 | 29 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 45% | 33% |
|
LeBron James |
38 | 25 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 48% | 25% |
|
Gabe Vincent |
22 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 60% | 50% |
|
Rui Hachimura |
28 | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 63% | 60% |
|
Dorian Finney-Smith |
24 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 50% | 50% |
Standout Lakers Performers
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Austin Reaves: Reaves was the game’s MVP, dropping 31 points, including 10-for-10 from the free-throw line. His clutch plays in the fourth quarter, like denying Jaren Jackson Jr. a post entry, showed his grit. Reaves’ ability to score inside and out, plus his playmaking (8 assists), kept the Lakers in control. Fans on Reddit were buzzing, with one user saying, “Austin Reaves doesn’t look like he should be this good but will torch you on both ends!”
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Luka Dončić: Luka’s 29 points and 9 assists were huge, especially his circus shot in the third quarter that sparked a Lakers run. Despite a quieter shooting night (33% from three), his near-triple-double kept Memphis’ defense guessing.
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LeBron James: At 40 years old, LeBron still delivered 25 points and 8 assists. His leadership was key, especially after coach JJ Redick challenged the Big Three to step up pre-game. LeBron struggled with layups (missing several at the rim) but made up for it with three steals and clutch free throws late.
Supporting Cast
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Gabe Vincent lit up the first half, hitting four three-pointers to finish with 15 points. His hot shooting gave the Lakers an early cushion.
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Rui Hachimura was efficient, scoring 13 points on 5-of-8 shooting, including a big block on Ja Morant in the fourth.
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Dorian Finney-Smith added 11 points, including a critical three-pointer in the fourth that helped the Lakers retake the lead.
The Lakers shot an impressive 55% from three in the first half, finishing with 19 made threes (one shy of their season-high). Their ability to answer every Grizzlies run was the difference-maker.
Key Player Stats: Grizzlies
The Grizzlies fought valiantly despite the coaching chaos. Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. led the way, while Ja Morant showed flashes of brilliance. Here’s how Memphis’ top players stacked up:
|
Player |
Minutes |
Points |
Rebounds |
Assists |
Steals |
Blocks |
FG% |
3P% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Desmond Bane |
38 | 29 | 6 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 48% | 40% |
|
Jaren Jackson Jr. |
34 | 24 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 50% | 33% |
|
Ja Morant |
36 | 22 | 4 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 33% | 20% |
|
Scotty Pippen Jr. |
26 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 50% | 50% |
|
Santi Aldama |
24 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
|
Vince Williams Jr. |
20 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6% | 33% |
Standout Grizzlies Players
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Desmond Bane: Bane was Memphis’ go-to scorer, dropping 29 points, including four three-pointers. His clutch shooting by a game kept the Grizzlies in striking distance. Bane’s ability to create his own shot was a headache for the Lakers’ defense.
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Jaren Jackson Jr.: JJJ added 14 points and 7 rebounds, but foul trouble in the second quarter forced him to the bench early. His driving floaters were nearly unstoppable, though Reaves’ tough defense late frustrated him.
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Ja Morant: Morant had a tough shooting night (33% FG), but his 22 points and 10 assists showed his playmaking flair. He scored seven quick points in the first quarter, but the Lakers’ defense limited his paint attacks.
Supporting Cast
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Scotty Pippen Jr., a former Laker, hit two big three-pointers for 12 points. His energy off the bench sparked Memphis’ comeback attempts.
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Santi Aldama chipped in 10 points, including a crafty driving floater assisted by Pippen Jr.
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Vince Williams Jr. added 8 points, including a three-pointer assisted by Morant, but struggled with his jumper (1-for-3 from deep).
The Grizzlies outscored the Lakers 38-30 in the third quarter, showing resilience under Iisalo’s halftime adjustments. However, their perimeter defense struggled, allowing the Lakers to exploit open looks from deep.
Memphis Grizzlies vs Lakers Match Player Stats Highlights and Turning Points
This game was a tale of two halves. Here’s how it unfolded:
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First Quarter: Lakers’ Hot Start
Lakers came out firing, hitting 8-of-16 three-pointers to lead 39-28. Reaves and Vincent each made two threes, while Morant’s 33% shooting limited Memphis early. An 8-2 Lakers run to close the quarter set the tone. -
Second Quarter: Lakers Pull Away
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By mid-quarter, the Lakers led by 20, thanks to a 19-4 run orchestrated by Reaves. Vincent stayed hot, hitting two more threes, while Vando’s dunks energized the bench. Memphis cut the lead to 72-61 at halftime, with Bane and Pippen Jr. draining late threes.
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Third Quarter: Grizzlies Fight Back
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Memphis roared back, outscoring LA 38-30. Bane and Jackson Jr. kept the heat on, while LeBron missed several layups. The Lakers clung to a three-point lead (102-99) entering the fourth.
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Fourth Quarter: Lakers Hold On
The lead changed hands multiple times, but Dončić’s four straight points and Finney-Smith’s three-pointer gave LA breathing room. Reaves’ defensive stand on Jackson Jr. and clutch free throws sealed the 134-127 win.
What’s the Stats Tell Us
The box score reveals why the Lakers won and what the Grizzlies need to fix:
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Team Stats:
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Three-Point Shooting: The Lakers’ 19 threes (at 47% clip) overwhelmed Memphis’ 12 (40%). LA’s early barrage set the tone, while Memphis relied more on paint scoring.
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Free Throws: Reaves (10-10) and LeBron (7-7-8) were perfect from the line, while Memphis struggled (Bane 5-5-7, Morant 4-6).
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Assists: Both teams moved the ball well (Lakers 28, Grizzlies 27), but LA’s 9-0 run in the second quarter off crisp passing was decisive.
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Turnovers: The Lakers had 12 turnovers to Memphis’ 10, but LeBron’s three steals helped offset sloppy moments.
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Rebounding: Memphis edged LA 38-35, with Jackson Jr. and Aldama crashing the boards. However, LA’s transition defense limited second-chance points.
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One bizarre stat? Quirky Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard played 20+ minutes but didn’t attempt a single shot. That’s rare for an NBA rotation player and likely tied to the emotional turmoil from Jenkins’ firing.
Coaching Impact
The coaching storyline was huge. For the Grizzlies, Tuomas Iisalo’s debut was a trial by fire. His third-quarter adjustments—more pick-and-rolls with Morant and Bane—nearly turned the game. However, the lack of prep time showed in Memphis’ shaky perimeter defense.
Lakers coach JJ Redick, meanwhile, earned praise for his poise. He anticipated Iisalo’s pick-and-roll tactics and countered with aggressive switches. Redick’s pre-game challenge to his Big Three paid off, as Reaves, Dončić, and LeBron delivered. Fans loved his calm demeanor, with one Reddit user saying, “JJ kept his cool when Memphis went on a run—well-coached game.”
What’s Next for Both Teams?
The Lakers (45-29) now hold a one-game lead over the Grizzlies (44-30) and own the tiebreaker, having won the season series 3-1. LA faces the Houston Rockets next, a chance to gain ground on the No. 2 seed in the West. For Memphis, a home game against the Boston Celtics looms as Iisalo looks to stabilize the team post-Jenkins.
Lakers Takeaways
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Reaves is an emerging as a legit third star, capable of leading in crunch time.
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The Big Three’s chemistry is peaking, but LA must shore up late-quarter defense to avoid blowing leads.
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Role players like Vincent and Finney-Smith are critical for playoff depth.
Grizzlies Takeaways
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Bane and Jackson Jr. are a lethal duo, but Morant needs to shoot better to unlock the full offense.
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Iisalo’s pick-and-roll schemes show promise, but perimeter defense must improve.
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The Jenkins firing adds uncertainty, but the roster’s talent keeps Memphis in the playoff hunt.
Why Fans Loved This Game
This matchup had it all: star power, drama, and clutch plays. Social media was buzzing, with Lakers fans chanting “MVP AR!” on Reddit and Grizzlies fans praising Bane’s heart. The game’s playoff atmosphere, plus the coaching shakeup, made it a must-watch. As one fan put it, “This wasn’t just a game—it felt like Game 7!”
Final Thoughts
The Memphis Grizzlies vs Lakers Match Player Stats on March 29, 2025, was a classic Western Conference showdown. Austin Reaves’ 31-point masterpiece, Luka Dončić’s near-triple-double, and Desmond Bane’s valiant effort defined a game that came down to the wire. The stats show how efficiency and clutch shooting tipped the scales for the Lakers, while the Grizzlies’ resilience bodes well for their playoff push.
