Mon Jan 05 05:10:00 UTC 2026: Summary:

The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 128-121 in a game that went down to the wire. Despite struggling at times throughout the game, the Lakers dominated in “clutch time” – the final five minutes when the score is within five points. Their stifling defense and key shots from role players like Jarred Vanderbilt and Marcus Smart proved to be the difference. This win highlighted the Lakers’ unusual strength in close games, standing in stark contrast to their struggles in other situations and the struggles other teams have in clutch situations.

News Article:

Lakers Clutch Gene Strikes Again in Victory Over Grizzlies

LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Lakers continued their strange dominance in close games, defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 128-121 in a nail-biting contest Friday night. Despite periods of inconsistency throughout the game, the Lakers locked down defensively in the final five minutes – “clutch time” as defined by the NBA – and executed flawlessly on offense.

With the game tied through three quarters, the Lakers turned up the intensity when it mattered most. Marcus Smart, contributing with a season-high eight rebounds and seven assists, made crucial defensive plays and hit a dagger three-pointer to extend the Lakers’ lead. Jarred Vanderbilt also knocked down a critical three, continuing his recent hot streak from beyond the arc.

“We made some big-time plays offensively, we were sharing the ball, guys made some big-time shots,” said LeBron James, who scored 31 points alongside Luka Dončić who added 34. “And then defensively, we was able to get a couple of stops, get a couple rebounds, that allowed us to kind of start pushing the lead up.”

Head Coach JJ Redick credited the team’s strong clutch-time defense for the victory, pointing to a series of key stops and turnovers forced in the closing minutes.

This victory solidifies the Lakers’ unique position as a team that thrives in high-pressure situations. They are currently undefeated in clutch-time games this season, a stark contrast to their struggles in other aspects of the game and to other teams around the league. The Lakers will look to extend their winning streak against the Grizzlies again on Sunday.

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