LeBron James has triple-double to help Lakers beat Grizzlies, 136-124

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — LeBron James had a triple-double with 23 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists, Rui Hachimura scored 32 points as the Los Angeles Lakers built a big lead in the third quarter and beat the Memphis Grizzlies 136-124 on Wednesday night.

Coming off a 128-124 double-overtime victory in Milwaukee without James on Tuesday night, the Lakers won their fifth straight to pull within 2 1/2 games of idle Dallas for the sixth spot in the Western Conference, a spot that would avoid a play-in game.

Anthony Davis sat out against Memphis after having 34 points and 23 rebounds in a career-high 52 minutes against Milwaukee. He hyperextended his left knee late against the Bucks. James said Hachimura's scoring — including 7 of 8 3-pointers — along with grabbing 10 rebounds was a key with Davis sitting out.

“Rui's ability to shoot and spread the floor was big time for us,” James said. “He just stayed locked in all night.”

D'Angelo Russell added 23 points for Los Angeles, and Taurean Prince had 15.

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Desmond Bane led Memphis with 26 points and a career-high 16 assists. Jake LaRavia scored 14 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, and Jaren Jackson added 17. The Grizzlies have lost six of seven.

Despite the extended game a night earlier, the Lakers seemed fine with their shooting legs in the first half, and led 69-61 at the break. Lakers coach Darvin Ham almost predicted the pace of the game, saying it was key for Los Angeles to get their legs in the first half after the Milwaukee win and let the second half play out.

“We started getting a groove into the game,” Ham said. “We knew coming off the (Bucks) game, this was not going to be a walk in the park.”

Los Angeles converted eight of its first 10 long-range shots in the third to stretch the advantage to 27. Memphis closed the third on a 21-4 run to pull to 102-92 entering the fourth.

The Lakers would maintain the double-digit lead through the bulk of the fourth.

“Priority was the paint,” Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins said of Hachimura's shooting. “Obviously, he was the beneficiary of some great ball movement. We adjusted late, but probably a little late on my part.”

Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes dunks against the Memphis Grizzlies during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

The Grizzlies, limping to the finish after a season filled with injuries, got an emotional boost with the return of Brandon Clarke. The 6-foot-8 forward had not played since March 5, 2023 healing from a left Achilles injury. He finished with six points in almost 21 minutes.

As soon as Clarke got off the bench to enter the game in the first quarter, the Memphis fans began applauding his anticipated appearance. The recognition continued until a standing ovation when he was announced entering the game.

“I'm glad to get that first game over with,” Clarke said, acknowledging he still has work on his stamina. “I've been thinking about it for a very long time. I wish we could have won, but it was fun to play.”

The Lakers play down the stretch of the season is reminiscent of their run to make the playoffs last season. They finished the season 9-2 and made the play-in game where they defeated Minnesota before dispatching the Grizzlies in six games.

“Our laundry list has been simplified,” Ham said. “We know that nothing else matters if we don't take care of our own business. You feel the playoff smell in the air. The playoffs and the postseason are rapidly approaching.”

UP NEXT

Lakers: At Indiana on Friday night.

Grizzlies: At Orlando on Saturday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/nba

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) drives against Memphis Grizzlies forward Santi Aldama (7) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard D'Angelo Russell (1) is defended by Memphis Grizzlies guard DeJon Jarreau (77) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura (28) dunks over Memphis Grizzlies guard Scotty Pippen Jr. (1) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Los Angeles Lakers center Jaxson Hayes dunks against Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr., right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Austin Reaves (15) dribbles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) drives against Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson II (45) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) dribbles the ball as Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane (22) and forward Santi Aldama (7) in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James (23) shoots against Memphis Grizzlies forward GG Jackson II (45) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, March 27, 2024, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/Brandon Dill)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Edmonton's Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl continue to cause Los Angeles nightmares. As if that isn't enough, the rest of the Oilers' lineup is beginning to add to the Kings' frustrations.

McDavid and Draisaitl had three-point nights on Friday, but Zach Hyman continued his hot streak at the start of the postseason with two goals as the Oilers rode the momentum of three first-period scores to a 6-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings on Friday night to take a 2-1 lead in their first-round NHL playoffs series.

“Anytime you get up on a ream that's defensive and doesn't give you much makes it easier on you,” said Hyman, who has a league-leading six postseason goals and seven points. “You don't have to force it in, you can play your game and they have to change and open things up. We did a good job of that.”

Game 4 in the best-of-seven series is Sunday night.

Hyman, who had a hat trick in Edmonton’s 7-4 Game 1 victory on Monday, became the third player in the past 25 years to score in Edmonton’s first three postseason games when he put in a rebound 6:42 into the first.

The left wing then extended it to 5-1 six minutes into third when the Oilers had a two-man advantage.

Draisaitl also had two goals along with an assist. He became the fastest player in NHL history to reach 20 career road playoff goals on a wrist shot from a tight angle just inside the left faceoff circle with 4:24 remaining in the first to make it 2-0. Draisaitl reached the milestone in 26 games, three quicker than Kevin Stevens and Bernie Nicholls.

Draisaitl also had a power-play goal midway through the third.

“I think our guys were disciplined on entering into the offensive zone. We had a plan and executed it. It wasn't just one or two guys, it was five guys who were committed and connected,” Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said.

McDavid got his first goal of the postseason late in the first period on the power play to give the Oilers a 3-0 advantage. With two assists, he became the first player since Wayne Gretzky in 1987 to have at least eight assists in the first three games. Gretzky had nine in 1987 and eight in 1981.

It was one of three power-play goals for Edmonton, which is 7 for 15 in the series.

“I thought we did a lot of good things. Special teams were great, Stuart (Skinner) was a rock back there. A lot of positives but it just counts as one win,” McDavid said.

Evander Kane added a goal and an assist. He also picked up a rare postseason Gordie Howe hat trick with a 10-minute misconduct penalty in the third period when the game got chippy.

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins added three assists and Skinner stopped 27 shots as the Oilers posted a Game 3 rout on the Kings’ home ice for the second time in three years.

Drew Doughty had the Kings’ lone goal early in the second period and Cam Talbot made 35 saves.

Doughty's goal, his second of the postseason, got the Kings to 3-1 at 5:32 of the second, but Kane returned momentum back to the Oilers two minutes later with a tip-in of Cody Ceci's shot from the point.

"I mean, we got better. Second period, we had that goal, but they scored right after," forward Kevin Fiala said. "We have to look at some things, we have to get better, and we will. So we have to get second game and that’s it.”

Kings interim coach Jim Hiller pointed to his team's lack of forechecking early as a reason why they fell behind early.

“Their power play scored, ours didn't. It's 2-1 and let's get ready for the next one,” he said.

Kings captain Anze Kopitar played in his 95th career playoff game, passing Luc Robitaille for most in franchise history.

AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Andreas Englund, left, and Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane fight during the third period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman, center, celebrates his goal with center Connor McDavid, left, and center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins during the third period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl, right, celebrates his goal as center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins skates behind during Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Edmonton Oilers left wing Evander Kane, right, celebrates his goal as Los Angeles Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, left, and center Anze Kopitar look on during the second period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, left, scores on Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner during the second period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, right, celebrates his goal with center Anze Kopitar, center, as Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner, second from right, looks on during the second period in Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, right, celebrates his goal with left wing Zach Hyman, second from right, as Los Angeles Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, center, kneels in goal while defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, left, and center Blake Lizotte watch during Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak, left, reaches for the puck along with Los Angeles Kings right wing Viktor Arvidsson during Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Vincent Desharnais, right, passes the puck while under pressure from Los Angeles Kings defenseman Mikey Anderson aduring Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman, left, celebrates his goal as center Connor McDavid follows during Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Kings Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, center, is scored on by Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman, right, as defenseman Mikey Anderson defends during Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Kings goaltender Cam Talbot, right, deflects a shot by Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman before Hyman scored on the rebound during Game 3 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 26, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)