LeBron James returns and the Lakers hold on to beat the Memphis Grizzlies

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 starred this summer in the Olympics. 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 been desperately trying to recapture in a brutal stretch since.

And then Zach Edey chopped down and pulled Anthony Davis’ left shoulder, and everything felt like it could change.

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 Reaves, bloody from elbow to mouth, was still fighting. Max Christie was still defending. James was still racing around the track.

The Lakers beat Memphis 116-110 in a game the Grizzlies never led. Memphis (18-9) had won 10 out of 11 games prior to the meeting with the Lakers (14-12).

On Sunday, the Lakers set the tone physically, they executed offensively, and Davis dominated, scoring season highs with 40 points and 16 rebounds.

“We were able to stay poised, stay calm, win it back and ultimately win the game,” Davis said.

During a stretch where the Lakers had lost eight of 11 games, missed free throws, tough shots from opposing teams and tough offensive nights, the Lakers gained energy. But on Sunday, with Davis out and Memphis closing the third quarter on a 13-2 run, the Lakers didn’t buckle.

“I think in the past it could have had a different outcome,” Christie said. “And I think tonight shows a little bit of growth for us as a unit, being able to take that hit in the mouth, just keep our chin up and stay balanced defensively and offensively.”

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.

James said the plan to take the last week off came together after the Lakers lost in Atlanta.

“Feeling my foot, feeling my body after the Hawks game, after the last road trip. Did my pregame workout that Sunday for the Portland game and decided it was probably best that I sit that game out,” he said. “And then we look forward to the schedule, we didn’t play again until Friday in Minnesota. I had an opportunity to take several days and get my mind, body and everything where I wanted it to be tonight. And it worked.”

Before the game, Redick said he and James talked about the veteran taking time away from the team 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.”

James said he thought the foot injury would continue to be something to monitor as it has “been going on for the last couple of years.”

“Nah, it’s not behind me,” he said. “It’s an everyday thing.”

The Lakers all get another break – they don’t play again until Thursday in Sacramento. It’s another chance for James to rest, bounce back and ignite the Lakers.

“He had a week off. Had some energy that kind of energized us,” Davis said. “He’s obviously dealing with some things. But I think a week off just lets him heal and come right back. And he came out with a ton of energy, which got us going.”