LeBron James stats tonight: How did the Lakers superstar fare vs Grizzlies (Dec. 15)   

A rejuvenated-looking LeBron James was all business in what was the LA Lakers' best win in their recent stretch of games. They propped up a 116-110 win against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Crypto.com Arena on Sunday and the 4x NBA champion returning after a brief hiatus ended his evening with 18 points, eight rebounds, and as many assists.

The veteran forward was a late upgrade to available ahead of the marquee showdown after missing two games due to personal reasons. By the end of the first half, he had eight points, five rebounds, and two assists as the Lakers led the Grizzlies 64-46. He was 3-6 from the field and 1-3 from beyond the arc.

James came alive at key junctures in the second half again to tally ten more points. He played 34 minutes on Sunday, the third-most minutes per game behind Rui Hachimura (37) and Austin Reaves (35)

Player	PTS	REB	AST	STL	BLK	FG	3PT	TO
LeBron James	18	8	8	1	2	7-17	3-6	5

LeBron James came into the contest averaging 23.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 9.1 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 0.6 blocks. He is shooting 49.5% from the field and 35.9% from beyond the arc.

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A monster dunk and a signature chase-down block highlighted LeBron James' return

LeBron James quashed all notions of fatigue with two impeccable plays in the first half. One was a monster dunk to show he still had the offensive prowess gene, and the other was a chase-down block on Desmond Bane.

The sequence of plays set the tone for LA as they capitalized on a rare shooting slump from the Grizzlies. Memphis came into the contest averaging 122.6 points per contest and was eventually held down to 110. Before the game, head coach JJ Redick shed light on his conversation with James about taking a breather.

"I think it's important. Hopefully, when I talked to him earlier this week, I think I said something along those lines, just hoping that he was getting the mind and body reset and he said he felt like he was. I played for 15 (years) and was emotionally, mentally, physically drained, and fried."

The Lakers will need more of LeBron James' experience and presence to make a difference and stay in the hunt for a playoff berth. With the side pegged to make suitable trades to add more teeth on both ends of the floor, it's perhaps only a matter of time before James gets some assist on the floor along with Anthony Davis.