The Memphis Grizzlies lost to the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Friday, April 28, 2023, in Game 6 of the first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs.

The Los Angeles Lakers’ 40-point victory in Game 6 of the first round of the NBA playoffs handed Memphis its largest playoff defeat in franchise history. 

Related stories:

Box score: Lakers 125, Grizzlies 85

Grizzlies fan starts Twitter movement, remixes iconic 2016 LeBron James meme

Grizzlies’ Ja Morant wants to be better on and off the court

It was the Lakers that threw the first punch Friday night to take a 31-20 lead to close the opening quarter — and the Grizzlies haven’t got up since. 

Memphis guard Luke Kennard will miss Game 6 between the Grizzlies and Lakers for shoulder soreness. 

The Showboats lost their first two games to the 2022 USFL champion and runner-up. Saturday, they face a Houston Gamblers team that is also winless after two weeks. 

A Grizzlies fan on Twitter has put a Memphis spin on an iconic NBA meme.

Stansbury has 21 years of head coaching experience with an overall record of 432-255.

Grizzlies guard Luke Kennard didn’t shoot in front of the media at the end of Friday morning’s shootaround. 

Related stories:

Game 6 updates: Kennard’s status in question. What is next for Dillon Brooks?

Herrington: Grizzlies face — and embrace — battle with history in Los Angeles

The Daily Memphian asked four college basketball coaches (three assistants and one head coach) what Memphis should do about Mikey Williams and granted them each anonymity so that they would speak freely.

Here’s what to look for on and off the court as Memphis takes on the Lakers in Game 6 of its NBA playoff series Friday, April 28, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

With victories in its last two matches, Memphis looks to keep momentum going against Louisville on Saturday.

Lefty Parker Jackson held Northpoint to just three hits in a complete-game gem last week.

Davis averaged 21.9 points, 5.4 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game to lead Memphis to an AAC Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth.

Warriors have some of Tennessee’s best athletes — Jordan Ware and Zavien Wolfe in particular — but the program’s success is a byproduct of considerable investment from all involved.

The University of Memphis has had at least one player taken in the NFL Draft for the last nine years. Former Tigers safety Quindell Johnson hopes to keep the streak alive. 

Now comes the most difficult challenge: Winning on the road, where Memphis is 16-27 this season.

Desmond Bane said the Grizzlies would win Game 5. Now he says they’re coming back to Memphis for Game 7. After watching Bane and the Grizzlies smash the Lakers Wednesday, 116-99, maybe it’s time to trust the man.

Did the Lakers ease up with a 3-1 lead? Did the Grizzlies change this series for good? Was this ‘give the home fans one last good time’? Time will soon tell, but here are a few reasons to believe.

Nighte Pickering scores history-making winner in extra time.

Desmond Bane, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant finally got going at once. The three stars combined for 82 points in the Game 5 victory.

Related story: 

Box score: Grizzlies 116, Lakers 99

Grizzlies’ Luke Kennard exits Game 5 with shoulder injury

NBA box score for Game 5 of the Western Conference first-round NBA playoffs matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and L.A. Lakers played Wednesday, April 26 at FedExForum.

The Grizzlies’ 6-foot-5 sharpshooter had tallied six points on a 2-3 mark from 3-point range in 18 minutes off the bench before the injury.

Memphis jumps out to a 38-24 first-quarter lead and holds on to lead by nine at the half.