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)

DHARAMSHALA, India (AP) — Virat Kohli scored 92 off 47 balls and Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat the Punjab Kings by 60 runs Thursday for their fourth straight victory to stay in contention for an Indian Premier League playoffs spot.

Kohli pounced on two early dropped catches to anchor Bengaluru’s total of 241-7 and Rajat Patidar, also dropped twice, provided the early acceleration by smashing a 23-ball 55.

Rilee Rossouw, who missed a hard two-handed catch of Kohli in the covers, made a blistering 61 off 27 deliveries and gave Punjab hope with his first half-century of the season before Mohammed Siraj (3-43) ran through the lower and bowled out Punjab for 181 in 17 overs.

Kohli also starred in the field when he sprinted from mid-wicket and run-out Shashank Singh (37) off a splendid direct throw with one stump to aim at as Punjab lost its way in the second half of its run-chase.

Bengaluru improved to 10 points with two league games to go. The loss knocked Punjab out of contention for the playoffs.

Fast bowler Vidwath Kaverappa in his IPL debut had the wickets of Faf du Plessis (9) and Will Jacks (12) and twice came close to dismissing Kohli, who escaped a chance before he had scored and then Rossouw floored a catch when Kohli had reached 10.

Kaverappa should also have had the wicket of Patidar for zero but Harshal Patel fluffed an opportunity at deep backward square leg as the fast bowler finished with 2-36 off his unchanged four-over spell with the new ball.

Patidar got another life on 33 when wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow couldn’t grab a thick edge before the power-hitter completed his half-century featuring six sixes and three boundaries. There was a brief stoppage of play due to rain and hail just after Patidar’s whirlwind knock ended when he was caught behind.

Kohli and Cameron Green (46) continued to countercharge after play resumed as Punjab skipper Sam Curran returned with expensive figures of 0-50 off his three overs and Bengaluru smashed 77 off the last five overs.

Kohli became the first batter to cross the 600-run mark this season, but just when he looked set for his second century he sliced Arshdeep Singh (1-41) to Rossouw at deep cover in the 18th over.

Patel (3-38) denied Bengaluru reaching 250 with a brilliant last over which went for just three runs as the fast bowler had Dinesh Karthik (18) and Green caught by Curran and in between clean bowled Mahipal Lomror for zero.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Karn Sharma, third right, is congratulated by teammates for taking the wicket of Punjab Kings' Rilee Rossouw during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamshala, India, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo /Ashwini Bhatia)

Punjab Kings' Rilee Rossouw bats during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamshala, India, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo /Ashwini Bhatia)

Punjab Kings' captain Sam Curran reacts after getting bowled out by Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Lockie Ferguson during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamshala, India, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo /Ashwini Bhatia)

Punjab Kings' Jitesh Sharma, second right, walks off the field after losing his wicket during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamshala, India, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo /Ashwini Bhatia)

Punjab Kings' Rilee Rossouw, right, celebrates his fifty runs as teammate Shashank Singh looks on during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamshala, India, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo /Ashwini Bhatia)

Groundsmen run to cover the ground as rain interrupts the Indian Premier League cricket match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamshala, India, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo /Ashwini Bhatia)

Punjab Kings' Vidwath Kaverappa, left, celebrates with teammate Shashank Singht he wicket of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Will Jacks during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamshala, India, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo /Ashwini Bhatia)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Cameron Green bats during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamshala, India, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo /Ashwini Bhatia)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohl plays a shot during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamshala, India, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo /Ashwini Bhatia)

Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Virat Kohl celebrates his fifty runs during the Indian Premier League cricket match between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Dharamshala, India, Thursday, May 9, 2024. (AP Photo /Ashwini Bhatia)