The Los Angeles Lakers will be without the services of at least four players when they take on the Miami Heat at Crypto.com Arena on Sunday, but Deandre Ayton is unlikely to join that group on the sidelines.

This article was originally published on www.si.com/nba/lakers/onsi as Lakers vs Grizzlies Expert Predictions Ahead of NBA Cup Game. The Los Angeles Lakers, who won the inaugural NBA Cup in 2023, will now face off against the Memphis Grizzlies in its first Emirates NBA Cup game of the new season.

Luka Dončić was upgraded to questionable for the Los Angeles Lakers’ road game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Oct. 31.

This Friday night, two Western Conference powerhouses collided, and the energy inside FedEx Forum was electric. Fans were glued to every possession as the two teams battled it out.

Luka Doncic had 44 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in his return after a three-game absence and the Los Angeles Lakers beat the Memphis Grizzlies 117-112 on Friday night in the opening game of the NBA Cup for each team.

Doncic has 44 points, 12 rebounds and six assists in his return from a three-game absence, and the Lakers begin NBA Cup play with a 117-112 road win.

Lakers blow a 20-point lead before Austin Reaves hits the game-winner in victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Luka Doncic reaching the 40-point mark in a game is becoming a common theme through the early weeks of this season.

Los Angeles Lakers star Austin Reaves has been a key part of why the team has three wins in its first five game this season. He showed up again on Wednesday night.

The Portland Trail Blazers have been one of the surprise teams of the 2025-26 NBA season so far, sitting at 4-2 after Friday night's 109-107 home win over the Denver Nuggets. The Blazers are led by a crew of athletic, versatile wings, including Deni Avdija, who scored 23 points to go along with four rebounds and four assists in the win over Denver.