Basketball is better when people actually dislike each other. Honestly, the NBA gets a bit too friendly sometimes—lots of jersey swaps and post-game hugs. But when the Memphis Grizzlies Los Angeles Lakers matchup pops up on the calendar, it usually feels different. It’s got that specific, prickly energy that reminds you of the old-school Western Conference.
We just saw another chapter of this in early January 2026. The Lakers took both games of a mini-series at Crypto.com Arena, winning 128-121 on January 2nd and followed it up with a 120-114 gritty victory on January 4th.
It wasn't easy.
Memphis was shorthanded, missing their massive rookie center Zach Edey and dealing with a calf issue for Ja Morant. Yet, they still made the Lakers sweat until the final two minutes. That's just how these two play. It's never a blowout; it’s always a bar fight.
The Luka Factor in Purple and Gold
If you haven't been keeping up with the 2025-2026 season, the Lakers look... different. LeBron James is still there, somehow defying the laws of aging at 41, but the torch has basically been handed to Luka Doncic.
The Lakers landing Luka changed the entire dynamic of the West. In that January 4th game, Doncic put up 36 points, 9 rebounds, and 8 assists. He’s currently leading the league in scoring at around 33 points per game. Watching him and LeBron dismantle the Grizzlies' defense in the fourth quarter was like watching a clinic. They went on a 12-2 run that basically iced the game.
LeBron added 26 points of his own.
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It's a weird vibe for Grizzlies fans. They remember the 2023 playoffs where Dillon Brooks was poking the bear and LeBron was ending their season. Now, they have to deal with the greatest playmaker of the new generation and the greatest of the old one on the same team.
Memphis Grizzlies: Grit, Grind, and Bad Luck
You’ve gotta feel for Memphis. They are the team that just won’t die, but they can’t stay healthy.
During the recent Memphis Grizzlies Los Angeles Lakers games, the injury report looked like a CVS receipt. Beyond Morant being in and out of the lineup with a calf contusion, they were missing:
- Zach Edey (Ankle stress reaction)
- Brandon Clarke (Calf strain)
- Scotty Pippen Jr. (Toe surgery recovery)
- Vince Williams Jr. (Patellar tendinitis)
Despite that, Jaylen Wells has been a revelation. He dropped 23 points on the Lakers on January 4th. He’s got that "next man up" mentality that has defined Memphis for a decade. Jaren Jackson Jr. is still out there swatting everything in sight, though he’s had a tough time with foul trouble lately. He finished with 25 points in the first game of the 2026 set but fouled out or stayed limited in the second.
Why Do They Hate Each Other?
It really goes back to that 2023 first-round series. Remember the Shannon Sharpe courtside incident? That was peak theater.
The Grizzlies talk. A lot.
The Lakers win. A lot.
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When those two things collide, it creates friction. Desmond Bane and LeBron James have a long history of "colorful" exchanges. Even with players like Brooks gone, the DNA of the Grizzlies is still very much "we don’t care who you are, we’re coming for you."
The Lakers, meanwhile, represent the Hollywood "glitz" that Memphis fans naturally push back against. There’s a huge contingent of Lakers fans in Memphis—mostly "Showtime" era holdovers—and it creates this weird civil war in the FedExForum whenever LA comes to town.
The Stat Sheet Doesn't Lie
If you look at the head-to-head records over the last two seasons, the Lakers have actually started to pull away.
Since the start of the 2024 season, Los Angeles has won 5 of the last 6 meetings. That includes a season sweep in 2024-2025. It’s becoming a bit one-sided on paper, but the games are decided by an average of about 6 points.
Memphis usually wins the "points in the paint" battle because of their relentless rebounding, especially when Edey is healthy. But the Lakers’ 3-point shooting—fueled by Doncic and Austin Reaves (when he's not sidelined with his own calf strain)—has been the equalizer.
In the January 2nd game, the Lakers hit 19 triples. You can't beat that with layups.
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What to Watch Moving Forward
If you’re betting on or just following the Memphis Grizzlies Los Angeles Lakers rivalry, there are a few things you need to keep an eye on for the rest of 2026.
First, keep a close watch on the Grizzlies' medical staff updates. If they can get Ja Morant, Marcus Smart, and Zach Edey on the floor at the same time for more than two weeks, they are a top-4 team in the West. Right now, they’re hovering around the 10th seed (17-22 as of mid-January), which is dangerous territory.
Second, watch the Lakers' rotation depth. They’ve been lean lately. With Austin Reaves out for another month and Rui Hachimura dealing with calf issues, the starters are playing massive minutes. LeBron and Luka are both in the top 10 for "minutes per game" right now. That’s a risky game to play heading into the All-Star break.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- For Betting: The Over has hit in 4 of the last 5 Lakers/Grizzlies games. Both teams play at a top-10 pace, and neither seems interested in slow, half-court grinds lately.
- For Attendance: If you're going to a game in Memphis, get there early. The "Lakers effect" means security lines are twice as long and the energy is significantly more hostile than a random Tuesday against the Hornets.
- Roster Moves: Keep an eye on the trade deadline. Memphis has a few trade exceptions they might use to bolster their frontcourt depth while Edey recovers.
This rivalry isn't going anywhere. Even if the standings say there's a gap between the 5th-seed Lakers and the 10th-seed Grizzlies, the tape says something else. These two teams genuinely enjoy the competition, and for NBA fans, that’s the best-case scenario.
Check the official NBA injury reports 24 hours before the next tip-off, as these rosters are currently a revolving door of "Questionable" tags.