Grizzlies May Be Severely Overmatched vs Lakers After Latest Luka Doncic News

Luka Doncic and Marcus Smart, who have both been sidelined with injuries, are expected to suit up against a Memphis team already dealing with its own roster challenges.

Who Steps Up for Memphis?

With the Lakers getting reinforcements and Memphis dealing with four players on the injury report, and Zach Edey (ankle), Pippen Jr. (toe), Brandon Clarke (knee), and Ty Jerome (calf) all out, the burden falls on the Grizzlies' stars.

Ja Morant needs to play like a superstar tonight.

The All-Star guard is averaging 23.4 points and 6.6 assists per game while shooting an impressive 96 percent from the free-throw line, and is coming off a clutch performance against Phoenix, where he hit the game-winner with eight seconds left.

If Morant can use the same energy and aggression from the opening tip as he did against the Suns, Memphis has a fighting chance.

Jaren Jackson Jr. could have a big night though.

The former Defensive Player of the Year is averaging 17.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks per game, but he hasn't surpassed 19 points in any contest this season. Against a Lakers frontcourt featuring DeAndre Ayton, Jackson needs to break out of his early-season shooting slump and put up a monster game for Memphis.

Santi Aldama should be considered a secondary scoring option now, with how he has played so far this season.

He's averaging 11 points and 7.6 rebounds per game, and the Grizzlies will need him to provide consistent production in the frontcourt alongside Jackson. With Memphis thin on depth, Aldama's versatility becomes even more critical.

The Lakers Reinforcements Spell Trouble

The Lakers are getting back two crucial players at the right time against Memphis.

Dončić, who has been dealing with knee and finger issues, brings elite playmaking and scoring ability that can change a game instantly.

The superstar is averaging 46 points per game so far this season and has looked like an MVP candidate.

Smart, battling a quad injury, adds the kind of defensive intensity and veteran leadership that makes life difficult for the Grizzlies' opposing guards.

For Memphis, this significantly impacts their chances of protecting home court, as the Grizzlies are already thin in the backcourt with Pippen Jr. and Jerome sidelined.

Adding Smart's on-ball pressure and Dončić's explosive offensive firepower to the mix makes Memphis's chances to win that much more difficult.

The Grizzlies' defensive struggles remain a concern this season, too, as they're allowing 123 points per game, ranking 23rd in the league.

Against a Lakers offense that's clicking at 117.6 points per game behind the hot hand ofAustin Reaves (34.2 PPG), those defensive miscues could become magnified.