Cedric Coward has 23 points and 14 rebounds to lead Grizzlies past Clippers, 107-98

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Rookie Cedric Coward had 23 points and 14 rebounds, part of five Memphis players reaching double figures, and the Grizzlies beat the Los Angeles Clippers 107-98 on Friday night.

Cam Spencer and Jaylen Wells had 17 points each and Jaren Jackson Jr. finished with 13 points as Memphis won for the sixth time in eight games. Zach Edey had 10 points and eight rebounds.

Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers with 24 points and eight rebounds. James Harden had 18 points and seven assists, and John Collins scored 16 points. Los Angeles lost for the ninth time in 11 games.

The teams exchanged leads through the fourth quarter and were tied at 98 with 3:40 left when Harden hit a pair of free throws, his only points of the second half. At that point, there had been 10 lead changes and nine ties. Neither team lead by more than eight points.

Memphis closed the game with nine straight points.

Memphis defeated the Clippers in Los Angeles 112-107 a week ago.

Clippers: At Minnesota on Saturday night.

Grizzlies: Host Portland on Sunday night.

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

Los Angeles Clippers guard Cam Christie (12) comes up with a rebound as Memphis Grizzlies guard John Konchar defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Los Angeles Clippers guard Cam Christie, left, shoots as Memphis Grizzlies guard John Konchar (46) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Memphis Grizzlies forward/center Santi Aldama goes high as Los Angeles Clippers forward/center John Collins (20) defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey (14) grabs a high pass as Los Angeles Clippers guard Cam Christie defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Memphis Grizzlies guard John Konchar (46) and Los Angeles Clippers' Nicolas Batum (33) vie for a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

Los Angeles Clippers forward/center John Collins is defended by Memphis Grizzlies center Zach Edey, right, and forward/center Jaren Jackson Jr., left, during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Memphis, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis)

OPELOUSAS, Louisiana (AP) — Two inmates accused of violent crimes, including second-degree attempted murder, are on the run after escaping from a southwestern Louisiana jail Wednesday by removing pieces of a degrading wall and using sheets to scale a wall, officials said. A third inmate who joined in the breakout killed himself after he was tracked down.

It was the latest bold jail escape in Louisiana. Earlier this year 10 inmates broke out of a New Orleans jail after crawling through a hole behind a toilet. It wasn't until five months later — following the discovery of the escape crime scene with a message that read “To Easy LoL," finger-pointing by officials as to who was to blame for the audacious escape and a search that spanned multiple states — that all 10 inmates were recaptured.

Wednesday morning's escape, which took place at the St. Landry Parish Jail, involved three inmates. Sheriff Bobby J. Guidroz, who oversees the jail in Opelousas, about 130 miles (209 kilometers) northwest of New Orleans, said the "inmates discovered a degrading part of an upper wall area and over time, removed the mortar allowing them to remove concrete blocks and provide their exit.”

The inmates then used “sheets and other items” to scale the outer wall and “drop onto” the first floor roof, before “lowering themselves to the ground,” Guidroz said in a press release.

Additional details about the escape were not immediately available. Guidroz said it will be investigated internally.

The sheriff’s office identified the two escaped inmates still on the loose as Keith Eli, 24, of Opelousas, who was facing a second-degree attempted murder charge, and Johnathan Jevon Joseph, 24, of Opelousas, who was facing several charges, including principal to first-degree rape.

The third escapee, Joseph Allen Harrington, 26, of Melville, who faced several felony charges, including home invasion, killed himself after he was found, Port Barre Police Chief Deon Boudreaux said by telephone.

After a tipster who recognized Harrington told police on Thursday that he was seen pushing a black e-bike, an officer spotted the e-bike at a nearby home. Police used a loudspeaker to urge Harrington to come out of the home, and they later heard a gunshot. Harrington was found dead inside the home. He had shot himself with a hunting rifle, Boudreaux said.

Sheriff’s department spokesperson Maj. Mark LeBlanc wasn’t aware of the building being breached in a similar way in the past, but noted that anyone will try to escape with enough time and opportunity.

“These three were just a little more creative than in years past,” he said.

There’s no credible indications that the escapees have left the parish, so LeBlanc warned residents to secure their homes and vehicles.

“They’re charged with violent felonies and we know they’re desperate to get away,” he said.

Anyone who helps the escapees will be prosecuted, he said.

This photo provided by St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office shows Johnathan Jevon Joseph, 24, of Opelousas, one of three inmates who escaped from a southwestern Louisiana jail, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office via AP)

This photo provided by St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office shows Keith Eli, 24, of Opelousas, one of three inmates who escaped from a southwestern Louisiana jail, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office via AP)

This photo provided by St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office shows Joseph Allen Harrington, 26, of Melville, one of three inmates who escaped from a southwestern Louisiana jail, Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025. (St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office via AP)