Memphis Grizzlies drop Game 1 to Lakers at home

It's not too often that first-round playoff matchups between a No. 2 and No. 7 seed have as much star power as this year's Western Conference battle between the Memphis Grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers.

Ja Morant is a two-time all-star in his four four seasons, and he's flanked by first-time all-star Jaren Jackson Jr. and one of the NBA's emerging shooting guards in Desmond Bane. The Lakers are led by LeBron James, the NBA's all-time scoring leader and a four-time NBA champion. One of those championships was won alongside Anthony Davis, who is widely regarded as one of best big men in the league.

A Game 1 first-round battle between the Lakers and Grizzlies will tip off at 2 p.m. on ABC. The first two games of the series will take place at FedExForum before shifting to Los Angeles.

As much as the stars will be talked about in this series, a lot of the success will come down to the role players. The Grizzlies will need Xavier Tillman Sr. and Santi Aldama to help Jackson with containing Davis. In the final regular season meeting between the Grizzlies and Lakers, Davis scored 30 points and had a season-high 22 rebounds.

Rebounding is one facet of the game that Memphis is harping on. With leading rebounder Steven Adams unlikely to return for the playoffs, Memphis will need others to step up on the glass. The Lakers finished fifth in rebounding.

"I feel like it's going to be a group effort," Morant said. "All five guys going down and rebounding, all five guys getting hits and boxing out. We know with (Davis) and (Jarred) Vanderbilt they're a good offensive rebounding team. We know we got to keep them off the glass, so that's got to be our main focus on the defensive end."

The Lakers won two of the three meetings this season. Each team won when playing at home. Memphis finished the season an NBA-best 35-6 at home.

This will be the first time James, Morant and Davis have shared the floor in a Lakers-Grizzlies game this season. Morant and James played in the first meeting, but James missed the final two matchups when Davis returned. Morant also missed the final regular season meeting on March 7.

Follow along for live updates.

Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Live updates from Game 1

Postgame

INSTANT ANALYSIS: Ja Morant leaves game in fourth quarter, Memphis Grizzlies drop Game 1 to Lakers

MARK GIANNOTTO: Ja Morant's injury, more troubling signs for Grizzlies in Game 1 loss to Lakers

OUCH: Grizzlies' Ja Morant leaves fourth quarter of Game 1 vs. Lakers with injury

Fourth quarter

FINAL: Lakers 128, Grizzlies 112. After a JJJ bucket with 4:38 left, Memphis outscored 20-6. Only two made field goals in that stretch.

30.7 seconds left: A timeout for Taylor Jenkins, certainly more for a look toward Wednesday's Game 3. A 15-0 Lakers run and a 128-112 lead. Grizzlies had nothing for LA after the Morant injury.

57.5 seconds left: Jackson turnover, Davis transition dunk. Lakers by 12. That may be it.

1:30 left: Reaves 3 is good. Then a Jackson miss and another Reaves bucket. He has 14 in the quarter and the last 9 for the Lakers.

Lakers lead 120-112. Morant was back on the bench a few minutes ago with a re-taped hand but has not returned.

3:06 left: JJJ 3-pointer good. Up to 31 points. Lakers up 113-112.

5:07 left: Jackson and-1. It's his show now. He may have to carry the Grizzlies to the end. Kennard and Aldama with Tyus Jones in the game along with Jackson and Brooks.

5:26 left: Suboptimal sequence for the Grizzlies. Bane picks up his fifth foul with Morant in the locker room. Then James knocks down a 3. Lakers lead 108-101.

Ja Morant leaves game with injury

5:45 left: Oh no. Ja Morant is called for an offensive foul on a charge against Davis. He tried to brace his fall, but his taped up hand turned the other way. Did not look good. He's in the locker room.

6:03 left: Jaren Jackson Jr. returns to the game for Memphis, as does LeBron James for the Lakers. LA leads 105-101.

7:28 left: Hachimura again. Timeout Memphis. Lakers by 1. This is going to be a fun finish.

9:05 left: Grizzlies come out with the energy in the fourth quarter to retake the lead. Anthony Davis back in the game for LA.

Third quarter

End of the quarter: Lakers 96, Grizzlies 90. LA hits 7 3s in the quarter. Grizzlies making it an emphasis to limit James and Davis, which has allowed some good looks for Hachimura and others. Hachimura has 20 points, and Russell has 19.

1:59 left: Rui Hachimura with his third 3-pointer of the quarter. Lakers lead.

3:20 left: Grizzlies did a very good job forcing turnovers in the second quarter, but not so much in the third.

Desmond Bane now with 4 fouls.

6:27 left: D'Angelo Russell 3 is good. Tie game.

Morant responds with a 3 off an offensive rebound on the other end.

6:53 left: Bane has two 3-pointers and 8 points in this quarter. Lakers have done a decent job against Ja Morant with Vanderbilt following him, but Bane and Jackson have combined for 41. Grizzlies by 3.

9:51 left: Davis outlet pass leads to a LeBron James and-1. Grizzlies lead is 2.

12:00 left: Anthony Davis is on the floor and available to return.

He's in the game to start the second half and promptly turns the ball over.

Second quarter

HALFTIME: Grizzlies 65, Lakers 59. Jackson was dominant to finish the half, with a 3-pointer and a block in the final 90 seconds.

Jackson with 19 points and 5 rebounds with 2 blocks. And if Davis doesn't return, he'll continue to get the green light. Bane (12 points) and Morant (10 points) also in double figures. LeBron James with 10 points on 4-10 shooting.

Anthony Davis injures arm

1:06 left: Anthony Davis is holding his right arm and goes straight to the locker room. He got tangled up with Jackson, but it didn't look bad. A concern for the visitors.

1:53 left: When Memphis is playing good defense without fouling, it is hard to beat. But silly fouls like the ones Jackson and Morant picked up that led to four points by LeBron James on two possessions do not help.

3:10 left: Little chaotic back and forth now. Morant up to 8 points. Memphis leads 56-52.

5:13 left: Desmond Bane 3-pointer is good. Grizzlies lead.

8:00 left: Luke Kennard 3-pointer is good. Grizzlies within 3.

Then a Lakers turnover and a Morant transition dunk. Lakers 43, Grizzlies 42.

9:18 left: Dillon Brooks will sit with three fouls. Morant back into the game. That was a silly off-ball foul on Brooks. Grizzlies talked about limiting the foul trouble, but there's been quite a few avoidable fouls so far.

9:40 left: James chasedown block results in free throws for the Lakers on the ensuing transition. Lakers not afraid to play fast. Grizzlies have to limit those opportunities.

LA leads 41-33. Schroder will sit now. Morant still sitting.

10:30 left: Dennis Schroder has three fouls but will stay in the game.

First quarter

End of the quarter: Lakers 32, Grizzlies 27. Davis is going to be a problem throughout this series. 8 points, 5 rebounds and 3 blocks in the quarter.

Grizzlies offense wasn't at its best, outside of transition, with the starting five on the floor. We'll see if that continues.

1:08 left: Quick 7-0 run for the Grizzlies. Deficit now 30-27.

2:20 left: Let's see how Memphis finishes the quarter without Ja Morant, down by 10.

2:59 left: Maybe fewer Santi Aldama two-shot possessions. Lakers up 27-20.

4:16 left: Jaren Jackson Jr. with 8 early points working against LeBron James and Anthony Davis.

6:01 left: Two fouls for Tillman. Santi Aldama into the game.

7:31 left: Austin Reaves 3-pointer is good. Timeout Memphis. 11-all early. Very nice back-and-forth flow to the start of this game.

8:01 left: Ja Morant is something else in transition. My goodness. Both teams thriving with the pace.

10:32 left: Lakers 0-5 to start from the field. Morant begins with Jarred Vanderbilt guarding him full court.

12:00 left: Xavier Tillman Sr. in the starting lineup. Grizzlies win the tip. Underway in Game 1.

Ja Morant has right hand taped before Game 1

Pregame: Ready for Game 1?

The Grizzlies and Lakers are about an hour away from tipoff of Game 1 inside FedExForum.

Series and NBA playoff picks? We have them. More on how the Grizzlies are already thinking about foul trouble? Read it here. What did LeBron say about facing the Grizzlies? Find it at this link.

Get ready for the first of what could be a lengthy postseason run for the Grizzlies.

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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Lakers: Live updates from Game 1