John Hollinger
@johnhollinger.bsky.social
The Athletic NBA columnist
PER creator - Former Grizzlies VP Basketball Ops - Former ESPN
Wahoowa - Commanders - Brewers - Timbers - huh?
Atlanta/a hotel
PER creator - Former Grizzlies VP Basketball Ops - Former ESPN
Wahoowa - Commanders - Brewers - Timbers - huh?
Atlanta/a hotel
Wells hadn't scored 15 points in any of his last seven games. Tonight he did it in the final five minutes.
Final: Lakers 120, Grizzlies 114. Luka Doncic with 36-9-8.
Jaylen Wells with Memphis's final 15 points but it wasn't enough.
Jaylen Wells with Memphis's final 15 points but it wasn't enough.
January 5, 2026 at 5:13 AM
Wells hadn't scored 15 points in any of his last seven games. Tonight he did it in the final five minutes.
Final: Lakers 120, Grizzlies 114. Luka Doncic with 36-9-8.
Jaylen Wells with Memphis's final 15 points but it wasn't enough.
Jaylen Wells with Memphis's final 15 points but it wasn't enough.
January 5, 2026 at 5:10 AM
Final: Lakers 120, Grizzlies 114. Luka Doncic with 36-9-8.
Jaylen Wells with Memphis's final 15 points but it wasn't enough.
Jaylen Wells with Memphis's final 15 points but it wasn't enough.
Make it 12. Team-high 20 points. Lakers trying to salt this away with 15 seconds left and 5-pt lead.
Jaylen Wells has all 10 Memphis points since the 5-minute mark.
January 5, 2026 at 5:06 AM
Make it 12. Team-high 20 points. Lakers trying to salt this away with 15 seconds left and 5-pt lead.
Jaylen Wells has all 10 Memphis points since the 5-minute mark.
January 5, 2026 at 5:05 AM
Jaylen Wells has all 10 Memphis points since the 5-minute mark.
Changed it to a landing zone foul after the review. 🗑️🗑️🗑️🗑️
Jaylen Wells with a Marcus Smart Tribute Band level grift attempt that Kevin Scott, standing a foot away, somehow decided merited a 3-shot foul. Lakers are challenging.
January 5, 2026 at 5:03 AM
Changed it to a landing zone foul after the review. 🗑️🗑️🗑️🗑️
Jaylen Wells with a Marcus Smart Tribute Band level grift attempt that Kevin Scott, standing a foot away, somehow decided merited a 3-shot foul. Lakers are challenging.
January 5, 2026 at 5:01 AM
Jaylen Wells with a Marcus Smart Tribute Band level grift attempt that Kevin Scott, standing a foot away, somehow decided merited a 3-shot foul. Lakers are challenging.
That's three straight Memphis crunch-time buckets by ... Jaylen Wells???
January 5, 2026 at 4:59 AM
That's three straight Memphis crunch-time buckets by ... Jaylen Wells???
Back to back 3s by Luka. Crunch-time Lakers look like they're gonna do it again, now up by 9 with two minutes left.
btw Grizzlies high scorer is STILL Cedric Coward, who left at halftime with 16.
btw Grizzlies high scorer is STILL Cedric Coward, who left at halftime with 16.
January 5, 2026 at 4:58 AM
Back to back 3s by Luka. Crunch-time Lakers look like they're gonna do it again, now up by 9 with two minutes left.
btw Grizzlies high scorer is STILL Cedric Coward, who left at halftime with 16.
btw Grizzlies high scorer is STILL Cedric Coward, who left at halftime with 16.
Landale in for KCP ... they gonna put Aldama back in? Not enough offensive juice on the floor with Santi and Spencer both on bench.
January 5, 2026 at 4:53 AM
Landale in for KCP ... they gonna put Aldama back in? Not enough offensive juice on the floor with Santi and Spencer both on bench.
Textbook Eurostop finish by Javon Small, who is getting crunch time minutes against the real Lakers one day after shooting 4-for-12 against their G League team.
January 5, 2026 at 4:47 AM
Textbook Eurostop finish by Javon Small, who is getting crunch time minutes against the real Lakers one day after shooting 4-for-12 against their G League team.
Lakers came from 16 down to take a brief lead over Memphis. The two teams are a combined 16-of-69 from 3, yikes.
January 5, 2026 at 4:45 AM
Lakers came from 16 down to take a brief lead over Memphis. The two teams are a combined 16-of-69 from 3, yikes.
We have BEEF with Knecht and Aldama. Knecht having words and then just hauled off and shoved him away from the ball.
January 5, 2026 at 4:37 AM
We have BEEF with Knecht and Aldama. Knecht having words and then just hauled off and shoved him away from the ball.
Law with the pull
They gonna Ray Finkle Tyler Loop
January 5, 2026 at 4:36 AM
Law with the pull
This is why they should have played for the safety
Missed XP holy crap! Now Ravens can tie with a safety.
January 5, 2026 at 4:35 AM
This is why they should have played for the safety
Wow that was not very ... Likely?
January 5, 2026 at 4:33 AM
Wow that was not very ... Likely?
Missed XP holy crap! Now Ravens can tie with a safety.
January 5, 2026 at 4:26 AM
Missed XP holy crap! Now Ravens can tie with a safety.
Rodgers' last drive ever?
January 5, 2026 at 4:20 AM
Rodgers' last drive ever?
Luka grabbing at his left knee during these free throws
January 5, 2026 at 4:14 AM
Luka grabbing at his left knee during these free throws
Santi Aldama just tried to bank in a shot off the back of the shot clock (he was fouled in the act, but still)
January 5, 2026 at 4:09 AM
Santi Aldama just tried to bank in a shot off the back of the shot clock (he was fouled in the act, but still)
Iisalo losing it on Memphis sideline after refs miss blatant double dribble by LaRavia.
January 5, 2026 at 4:05 AM
Iisalo losing it on Memphis sideline after refs miss blatant double dribble by LaRavia.
we have a Jake LaRavia Revenge Game situation brewing here in L.A. Lakers have cut Memphis lead to five.
January 5, 2026 at 3:59 AM
we have a Jake LaRavia Revenge Game situation brewing here in L.A. Lakers have cut Memphis lead to five.
After scoring 16 points in the first half, Cedric Coward out for the second half because Grizzlies can't have nice things. GG Jackson starts the third quarter.
January 5, 2026 at 3:57 AM
After scoring 16 points in the first half, Cedric Coward out for the second half because Grizzlies can't have nice things. GG Jackson starts the third quarter.
Halftime: Grizzlies 65, Lakers 54.
I don't say this a lot, but we are on Santi Aldama triple-double watch (7 pts 5 reb 5 ast)
I don't say this a lot, but we are on Santi Aldama triple-double watch (7 pts 5 reb 5 ast)
January 5, 2026 at 3:39 AM
Halftime: Grizzlies 65, Lakers 54.
I don't say this a lot, but we are on Santi Aldama triple-double watch (7 pts 5 reb 5 ast)
I don't say this a lot, but we are on Santi Aldama triple-double watch (7 pts 5 reb 5 ast)
BOOK! What shot
January 5, 2026 at 3:36 AM
BOOK! What shot
Lakers attempting to set NBA record for most consecutive possessions ending with an atrocious shooter trying a wide-open corner 3
January 5, 2026 at 3:30 AM
Lakers attempting to set NBA record for most consecutive possessions ending with an atrocious shooter trying a wide-open corner 3