The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 136-124 on Wednesday night after LeBron James recorded a triple-double with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists, while Rui Hachimura added 32 points. The Lakers had a commanding lead in the third quarter.

The Lakers, who were without James on Tuesday night and came off a 128-124 double-overtime victory in Milwaukee, won five straight games to close the gap on idle Dallas to 2 1/2 games and secure the sixth seed in the Western Conference, which would spare them a play-in game.

After recording a career-high 34 points and 23 rebounds in 52 minutes against Milwaukee, Anthony Davis did not play against Memphis. Against the Bucks, he hyperextended his left knee late in the game. James stated that Hachimura’s scoring, which included 7 of 8 3-pointers, and his 10 rebounds were crucial because Davis was not playing.

For us, Rai’s ability to shoot and stretch the floor was crucial, according to James. “He simply spent the entire night locked in.”

For Los Angeles, Taurean Prince scored 15 points and D’Angelo Russell added 23.

With 26 points and a career-high 16 assists, Desmond Bane led Memphis. Of his 25 points, Jake LaRavia scored 14 in the fourth quarter, and Jaren Jackson added 17. After seven games, the Grizzlies are down six.