Lakers Take on Grizzlies in First NBA Cup Matchup
Tonight, your Los Angeles Lakers (3-2) will travel to Memphis to try to piece together another short-handed victory against the Grizzlies (3-2).
The Lakers found themselves in Group B this season, which contains Memphis, New Orleans, Dallas, and the Clippers. The Grizzlies are the first to stand in the way of the Purple and Gold hoisting the IST Trophy for the second time in its three-year existence.
FIRST GAME OF THE NBA CUP IS TONIGHT 😈 pic.twitter.com/e1PWt8MKAi
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) October 31, 2025
It will be the Lakers’ second game of a two-game stretch on the road, and these are the keys to the game to get back to LA 2-0.
Reinforcements Coming?
Over the last three games, the Lakers have been incredibly short-handed. Really, the whole season, if you count being without their highest-paid player, LeBron James.
Thankfully, Austin Reaves has been putting on a generational carrying performance, leading LA to a 2-1 record over this stretch. Luckily for HIM, help might just be on the way. Both Luka Doncic and Marcus Smart are officially questionable going into tonight’s game and will appear to be game-time decisions.
JUST IN: Luka has been upgraded to questionable for tomorrow night’s NBA Cup opener against the Grizzlies 🔥
Return of The Don? 👀 pic.twitter.com/a6qMrHu7f8
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) October 30, 2025
If the Lakers can get even one of those two players back tonight, that should drastically improve the efficiency of the second unit and, frankly, any minutes Austin Reaves isn’t on the court.
Lakers Must Slow Down Grizzlies Fastbreak
So far in this young season, the Memphis Grizzlies have been outstanding in transition and on fastbreaks. They are currently 5th in the league in fastbreak points, coming in just shy of 20 per game.
The Lakers have struggled thus far against teams that are talented in transition. Pair that with the Lakers being second in the league in turnovers per game (17.4), and this could be an issue.
Hopefully, the possible return of another primary and secondary ball handler in Doncic and Smart will elevate those turnover issues. If not, the Lakers could get boat raced tonight.
The Others Will Need to Step Up Again
Last game in Minnesota, although they almost choked it away, the Lakers put up one of their best performances of the season. Reaves obviously played tremendously, including a game-winning buzzer beater, but he didn’t do it alone.
Players who have been solid all season, like Rui Hachimura and Deandre Ayton, both stepped up, but so did Jake LaRavia. In his breakout game, LaRavia scored 27 points on 10/11 from the field and 5/6 from three.
Is this to be expected again? Probably not. But Hachimura and Ayton’s performances seem to be incredibly sustainable. If you pair that with another efficient game from LaRavia and the possible return of Doncic and Smart, the Lakers should be in pretty good shape tonight.
