Lakers Rally Past Grizzlies as Doncic Drops 44 in Return

Luka Dončić, born February 28, 1999, in Ljubljana, Slovenia, is a professional basketball player currently starring as a guard for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.[1][2][3] A child prodigy, he joined Real Madrid's academy at age 13 in 2012, signing a professional contract and debuting with the senior team in 2015 as the youngest player in club history.[1][2] Over six seasons, he played 216 matches, won seven titles including the 2018 EuroLeague championship, and earned MVP honors for the EuroLeague, Final Four, and ACB League that year, becoming Europe's top player at 19.[1] Selected third overall in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks and traded to the Dallas Mavericks, Dončić quickly emerged as a superstar.[2][3] Standing 6-foot-7 (later listed at 6-foot-8, 230 lbs), he averaged strong numbers early, including 16 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.3 assists in his final EuroLeague season.[2] In the NBA, he posted historic performances, such as a 60-point, 21-rebound, 10-assist game against the New York Knicks in December 2022, and led the Mavericks to the 2024 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Boston Celtics.[2][4] He became the sixth player to lead his team in points, rebounds, and assists during those playoffs, shattering franchise triple-double records.[4] In a blockbuster trade during the 2024–25 season, Dončić was sent to the Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis, marking his seventh NBA season and current status as an active Lakers player (jersey #77).[2][3][5] As of early 2026, the Lakers hold a 20-11 record, with Dončić contributing alongside LeBron James in recent highlights.[3] Known for his chess-like basketball IQ, competitiveness, and charisma, he has captivated fans across continents.[1][5]

Anthony Davis, born March 11, 1993, in Chicago, Illinois, is a professional basketball player widely regarded as one of the NBA's most dominant big men, known for his elite defense, rim protection, and versatile scoring.[1][2] Standing at 6'10" and weighing 253 pounds, he played college basketball at the University of Kentucky before being selected first overall in the 2012 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets (later Pelicans).[2][3][4] Davis quickly emerged as a franchise cornerstone with the Pelicans from 2012 to 2019, earning NBA All-Rookie First Team honors in his debut season (13.5 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.8 blocks per game) and leading the league in blocks in 2014-15 (2.8 per game).[1][2] He became an 8-time All-Star (2014-2021), secured 4 All-NBA First Team selections (2015, 2017, 2018, 2020), and finished third in MVP voting in 2018 after averaging 28.1 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks.[1] In 2017, he was named All-Star Game MVP, and he notched a career-high 59 points in 2016.[2] Traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in 2019, Davis formed a powerhouse duo with LeBron James, winning the NBA championship in 2020—his first ring—where he averaged 25 points and 10.7 rebounds in the Finals.[1][2][4] He signed a historic three-year, $186 million extension that offseason, the richest annual deal at the time ($62 million per year).[2] Named to the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team, Davis helped the Lakers capture the inaugural In-Season Tournament.[1][4] In a blockbuster February 2025 trade, Davis was sent to the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Luka Dončić, reshaping both franchises.[1][2][3] As of early 2026, the 32-year-old forward-center wears No. 3 for Dallas, though the team sits at 12-21 amid a two-game skid; his status is game-time decision due to a recent groin injury.[3] Davis remains a defensive anchor with ongoing relevance in title contention.[1][3]

Austin Reaves is an American professional basketball player born on May 29, 1998, in Newark, Arkansas, currently playing as a guard for the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA.[1][2] Nicknamed "AR-15," he stands 6'5" and weighs 197 pounds, having entered the league as an undrafted free agent in 2021 after a standout college career.[1][2] Reaves began at Wichita State University, playing for the Shockers from 2016 to 2018, where he appeared in 66 games with 11 starts, averaging 8.1 points and shooting 42.5% from three as a sophomore.[4] He transferred to the University of Oklahoma, starting all 25 games in his senior 2020-21 season, averaging 18.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 4.6 assists, earning first-team All-Big 12 honors.[1][3] Notable college performances included 27 points against Gonzaga in the NCAA tournament and a 10-game double-digit scoring streak.[1][3] Joining the Lakers, Reaves debuted on October 22, 2021, scoring eight points off the bench.[1] He quickly emerged with key moments, like a game-winning three-pointer against Dallas on December 15, 2021.[1] His breakout came in 2025, scoring a then-career-high 38 points versus Brooklyn on January 17, followed by a 45-point, 7-rebound, 7-assist game against Indiana on February 8—the fourth such 45-point outing for a Laker in 20 years, joining Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis.[1] On October 29, he hit a buzzer-beating floater with 28 points and 16 assists to beat Minnesota.[1] He also reached his 500th career three-pointer.[1] Internationally, Reaves represented the U.S. at the 2023 FIBA World Cup as only the third undrafted NBA player selected, after Ben Wallace and Brad Miller.[1] As of early 2026, he remains active in his fifth NBA season, contributing to the Lakers' strong 16-5 record.[2] High school stardom included state titles and a 47.8-point tournament average.[3][4] (298 words)[1][2][3][4]

**Ja Morant** is a professional basketball player and **point guard for the Memphis Grizzlies**[4]. Born on August 10, 1999, in Dalzell, South Carolina[6], Morant has established himself as one of the NBA's most athletic and dynamic guards since entering the league in 2019. Morant attended Crestwood High School, where he became the school's all-time leading scorer with 1,679 points[5]. After receiving limited high-level recruiting interest, he committed to Murray State University. During his two seasons with the Racers (2017-19), he became the first player to average 20 points and 10 assists per game since the NCAA began officially recognizing assists in 1983-84[2]. His breakout moment came when he scored 38 points against Alabama, gaining national attention[5]. He declared for the 2019 NBA Draft after his sophomore season. The Memphis Grizzlies selected Morant with the second overall pick in 2019[3]. In his rookie season (2019-20), he averaged 17.8 points and 7.3 assists per game, earning NBA **Rookie of the Year** honors with 99 of 100 first-place votes[1]. He has since become a cornerstone of the Grizzlies franchise, achieving **All-NBA 2nd Team** honors in 2022[4] and helping lead Memphis to multiple playoff appearances. Morant had a breakout 2021-22 season, averaging 27.4 points per game as the Grizzlies finished second in the Western Conference with a 56-26 record[1]. However, his career has faced disruptions, including an eight-game suspension in March 2023 after he livestreamed a video displaying a gun at a nightclub[1]. Despite this setback, he continues to perform at a high level, averaging 26.2 points and 8.1 assists in the 2022-23 season[1]. Currently 26 years old and active with the Grizzlies, Morant remains a key player in the NBA, known for his exceptional athleticism, court vision, and scoring ability[3].