Despite their lack of depth, the Los Angeles Lakers continue to win.

In Wednesday’s Western Conference matchup at FedExForum, Los Angeles defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 136-124 to extend its winning streak to five games. The Grizzlies dropped to 24-49 and an embarrassing 1-6 in their last seven games, while the Lakers improved to 41-32 overall.

The return of LeBron James to the Purple and Gold, who missed Tuesday’s tҺrilling double-overtime victory over the Milwaukee Bucks due to a left ankle ιnjury, gave them a boost, but Anthony Davis’ knee ιnjury kept him out of the lineup for the second night of a back-to-back.

Luckily, the winning side was up against one of the worst teams in the league, so they exploited this by launching a well-rounded аttаck that featured seven individuals scoring in double figures.

Rui Hachimura was outstanding with 32 points and 10 rebounds on 7 of 8 shooting from outside the arc, while James was among them with a triple-double of 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists. When you include in a double-double from Austin Reaves (13 points and 11 assists) plus a combined eight three-pointers from D’Angelo Russell (23 points) and Taurean Prince (15 points), the Lakers were unstoppable.

Particularly Hachimura and James generated a lot of response on social media:

Given that the Lakers are competing with the Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns for the Nos. 6–8 seeds in the Western Conference, every game they play in the remaining games of the season figures to have more significance.

James threw down an alley-oop slam, Hachimura filled in for the absent Davis, Russell struck from beyond the arc, Reaves distributed, and Jaxson Hayes provided a lift down low as they came out with the anticipated level of urgency.

As James completed his triple-double in the third quarter, Hachimura, Russell, and Prince caught fire from deep, seemingly eliminating any uncertainty about the outcome for Los Angeles.

Hachimura scored two huge three-pointers early in the fourth quarter to staunch the bleeding and help put the game away, even though the Grizzlies had just finished the third quarter on a 15-0 run and were now within striking distance.

The Lakers’ ceiling will be significantly greater if he plays at this level while James and Davis lead the way in the closing minutes. They play the Indiana Pacers on Friday in an attempt to extend their winning streak.