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. 

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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. 

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

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

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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.

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.

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.

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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.

Beat writer Drew Hill and columnist Chris Herrington discuss the upcoming Game 5 between the Lakers and Grizzlies. 

Here’s what to look for on and off the court as Memphis takes on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of their NBA playoff series Wednesday, April 26, at FedExForum.

The Grizzlies have a long way to go now as they return home for Wednesday night’s Game 5, where they will face elimination at the hands of the lower-seeded but more experienced, healthier and seemingly more composed Lakers.

The Grizzlies have a lot of growing up to do. That’s obvious now. Sure, they played better in Game 4. But the old man — LeBron James — is showing them what grown-up playoff basketball looks like.

Now the Grizzlies try to defy history. Thirteen teams have erased a 3-1 series deficit, while 258 teams have failed. 

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Box score: Lakers 117, Grizzlies 111 (OT)

NBA box score for Game 4 of the Western Conference first-round NBA playoffs matchup between the Memphis Grizzlies and L.A. Lakers played Monday, April 24, in Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

Grizzlies trail Lakers by 2 at halftime of Game 4.

“It’s a lot of positive things we can get out of that performance. We fought back! That’s the No. 1 thing. We are a very resilient group. We always bounce back after a tough loss or a tough game,” Morant said. 

Here’s what to look for on and off the court as the Grizzlies take on the Lakers in Game 4 of their NBA playoff series Monday, April 24, at 9 p.m. CT at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.