LeBron James returns and the Lakers overcome Anthony Davis’ injury scare in the win

The Lakers were the Lakers again — the version from the beginning of this season that made optimism not look like foolishness.

For two and a half quarters on Sunday night against Memphis, they completely threw away the baggage from the past two weeks. The long miles, the stagnant offense, the physical bruises from losses to bigger, tougher teams are all gone.

LeBron James was back looking like the version of himself that took part in the Olympics this summer. The passes were lightning fast, his feet were moving and his control was undisputed.

This was the team JJ Redick had in the early weeks of the season, and the team the Lakers had desperately tried to recapture in a brutal stretch since.

And then Zach cut down Edey and moved on Anthony Davis‘ left shoulder and everything felt like it could change.

Read more: Plaschke: Sinking Lakers franchise to throw LeBron James and Anthony Davis overboard

Davis went to the locker room, the Lakers’ offense stalled, their defense wasn’t as fierce, and their 20-point lead was more than cut in half.

An easy evening suddenly became hard.

But instead of folding to the pressure as they have done so many times over the previous 10 games, the Lakers showed toughness. Davis returned in the fourth quarter. Austin Reavesbloody from elbow to mouth, still struggling. Max Christie still defended. James was still racing around the track.

The Lakers beat Memphis 116-110 in a game the Grizzlies never led. They set the tone physically, they executed offensively, and Davis dominated, posting season highs of 40 points and 16 rebounds.

James, in his first game back after missing the last two, had 18 points, eight rebounds and eight assists. Reaves had 19 points and eight assists.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis by 25 points before fouling out. Yes, Morant scored 20, but he needed 21 shots, with Christie playing one of the best defensive games of his career.

It ultimately doesn’t matter where James spent the last week. However, it doesn’t matter where he wasn’t – with the Lakers. And when he came back, LeBron James looked like LeBron James again.

His first points came on a thunderous one-handed dunk. He immediately followed up with a trademark block from behind. And his next brace came on an acrobatic tip-in, his athleticism on display even in Year 22.

But the other changes were more subtle, the signs that James was mentally refreshed just as obvious.

He jumped off the bench to engage with his team during the first quarter, shouting instructions. He sprinted to the floor to try for another highlight slam, only to be dropped by Reaves, who patiently probed and found a cutting Davis for a bucket.

“Nice pass,” James said on his way back down the court, his cut drawing the defense, the kind of play that doesn’t show up in a box score.

Before the game, Redick said he and James talked about the veteran taking time away from the team a week ago before James missed the Lakers’ win against Portland. The break was a chance for James to get physically right with his ailing left foot as much as it was for James to be mentally reset a quarter of the way through the season.

“I played 15 (seasons) and was emotionally, mentally, physically drained, fried. I put everything I had into this game,” Redick said. “I had nothing left. For guys like him and (Chris Paul), the Tom Bradys of the world, the Roger Federers of the world, it’s hard to fathom having that level of sustained excellence for so long because of the toll it takes on all of you, not just your body.”

The Lakers all get another break and don’t play again until Thursday in Sacramento.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.