Luka Doncic Leads Lakers Comeback Win Over Grizzlies in Return
The Lakers came away with a comeback win in the first game of the NBA Cup. LA trailed by 14 at the half, but Luka Doncic led the comeback in his return.
LUKA AND THE LAKERS JUST DOMINATED THE SECOND HALF TO BEAT THE GRIZZLIES 😈
1-0 IN NBA CUP GROUP PLAY 🔥 pic.twitter.com/LSpdjyOchH
— Lakers All Day Everyday (@LADEig) November 1, 2025
Luka Magic
Doncic continued his masterful start to the season, finishing with 44 points, 12 rebounds, and six assists on 14-27 shooting and 6-15 from three.
The 26-year-old superstar is now averaging 45.3 points, 11.7 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game through three games. He is shooting 58.4 percent from the field and 35.1 percent from three.
Luka Doncic is putting together an MVP-level campaign and is leading LA’s offense.
Just a remarkable two minute exchange in the postgame locker room with Marcus Smart that starts with him grading the Lakers toughness with a B+ so far and ends with him saying how him and his older brother nearly got in a knife fight over backyard hoops. pic.twitter.com/CJJ3yjP32D
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) November 1, 2025
Marcus Smart’s Defensive Impact
While the offense has been productive behind Doncic and Austin Reaves, free agency acquisition Marcus Smart has set the tone defensively.
The 2022 Defensive Player of the Year has made a ton of hustle plays while proving to be an elite point-of-attack for the LakeShow.
Smart’s defense set the tone and helped the Lakers limit Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant to eight points on 3-14 shooting and 0-6 from behind the arc.
The Lakers now stand at 4-2 and will look to take down the Miami Heat on Sunday night.
