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From Dan Woike: The golden yellow sticks flashed throughout the arena, LeBron James standing at the opposite end of the court at the free-throw line taking in the game and the moment around him.
To his right, Kyrie Irving sat courtside. Ahead of him on the left in his seat, Jack Nicholson.
This had to have been the kind of night James envisioned when he picked the Lakers in 2018, the crowd full of stars, the stakes incredibly high and the spotlight on him and his team.
Pregame, James greeted them both.
Friday, it was all his — the attention, the opportunity, the moment, the team around him.
This was what James wanted. And it was what the Lakers all earned.
In front of a crowd that rewarded every moment with passionate response, the Lakers rolled their way into the second round, beating the second-seeded Grizzlies 125-85 in Game 6.
They’re the first No. 7 seed to advance in the playoffs since 2010. The Lakers will play whoever wins Game 7 on Sunday in Sacramento between the Kings and Golden State Warriors.
Photos: Lakers eliminate the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA playoffs
‘I want him back’: Clippers coach Tyronn Lue thinks Russell Westbrook is a good fit
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NBA PLAYOFFS
Results, schedule
All times Pacific
Western Conference
No. 2 Memphis vs. No. 7 Lakers
Game 1: Lakers 128, at Memphis 112
Game 2: at Memphis 103, Lakers 93
Game 3: at Lakers 111, Memphis 101
Game 4: at Lakers 117, Memphis 111 (OT)
Game 5: at Memphis 116, Lakers 99
Game 6: at Lakers 125, Memphis 85
No. 4 Phoenix vs. No. 5 Clippers
Game 1: Clippers 115, at Phoenix 110
Game 2: at Phoenix 123, Clippers 109
Game 3: Phoenix 129, at Clippers 124
Game 4: Phoenix 112, at Clippers 100
Game 5: at Phoenix 136, Clippers 130
No. 1 Denver vs. No. 8 Minnesota
Game 1: at Denver 109, Minnesota 80
Game 2: at Denver 122, Minnesota 113
Game 3: Denver 120, at Minnesota 111
Game 4: at Minnesota 114, Denver 108
Game 5: at Denver 112, Minnesota 109
No. 3 Sacramento vs. No. 6 Golden State
Game 1: at Sacramento 126, Golden State 123
Game 2: at Sacramento 114, Golden State 106
Game 3: at Golden State 114, Sacramento 97
Game 4: at Golden State 126, Sacramento 125
Game 5: Golden State 123, at Sacramento 116
Game 6: Sacramento 118, at Golden State 99
Sunday at Sacramento, 12:30 p.m., ABC
Eastern Conference
No. 1 Milwaukee vs. No. 8 Miami
Game 1: Miami 130, at Milwaukee 117
Game 2: at Milwaukee 138, Miami 122
Game 3: at Miami 121, Milwaukee 99
Game 4: at Miami 119, Milwaukee 114
Game 5: Miami 128, at Milwaukee 126 (OT)
No. 2 Boston vs. No. 7 Atlanta
Game 1: at Boston 112, Atlanta 99
Game 2: at Boston 119, Atlanta 106
Game 3: at Atlanta 130, Boston 122
Game 4: Boston 129, at Atlanta 121
Game 5: Atlanta 119, at Boston 117
Game 6: Boston 128, at Atlanta 120
No. 3 Philadelphia vs. No. 6 Brooklyn
Game 1: at Philadelphia 121, Brooklyn 101
Game 2: at Philadelphia 96, Brooklyn 84
Game 3: Philadelphia 102, at Brooklyn 97
Game 4: Philadelphia 96, at Brooklyn, 88
No. 4 Cleveland vs. No. 5 New York
Game 1: New York 101, at Cleveland 97
Game 2: at Cleveland 107, New York 90
Game 3: at New York 99, Cleveland 79
Game 4: at New York 102, Cleveland 93
Game 5: New York 106, at Cleveland 95
*-if necessary
Conference semifinals
Western Conference
No. 1 Denver vs. No. 4 Phoenix
Today at Denver, 5:30 p.m., TNT
Monday at Denver, 7 p.m., TNT
Friday at Phoenix, 7 p.m., ESPN
Sunday, May 7 at Phoenix, 5 p.m., TNT
*Tuesday, May 9 at Denver, TBD, TNT
*Thursday, May 11 at Phoenix, TBD, ESPN
*Sunday, May 14 at Denver, TBD
Eastern Conference
No. 2 Boston vs. No. 3 Philadelphia
Monday at Boston, 4:30 p.m., TNT
Wednesday at Boston, 5 p.m., TNT
Friday at Philadelphia, 4:30 p.m., ESPN
Sunday, May 7 at Philadelphia, 12:30 p.m., ESPN
*Tuesday, May 9 at Boston, TBD, TNT
*Thursday, May 11 at Philadelphia, TBD, ESPN
*Sunday, May 14 at Boston, TBD
No. 5 New York vs. No. 8 Miami
Sunday at New York, 10 a.m., ABC
Tuesday at New York, TBD, TNT
Saturday, May 6 at Miami, TBD, ABC
Monday, May 8 at Miami, 4:30 p.m., TNT
*Wed., May 10 at New York, TBD, TNT
*Friday, May 12 at Miami, TBD, ESPN
*Monday, May 15 at New York, 5 p.m., TNT
KINGS
From Helene Elliott: In almost any other situation, in almost any other game, Quinton Byfield and the Kings would have celebrated his third-period goal Tuesday night against Edmonton with rounds of hugs and cheers instead of quick fist-bumps and a respectful tap or two on his helmet.
On almost any other occasion his goal, which he snapped home from the slot off a fine centering pass from Gabe Vilardi, would have sparked debates over whether Byfield had finally added the offensive dimension that has been missing from his game since the Kings chose the 6-foot-5 forward No. 2 overall in the 2020 NHL draft.
Yet his goal came during what essentially was garbage time and the Kings got no closer in a 6-3 loss that pushed them to within one loss of elimination from the Stanley Cup playoffs. Byfield’s first goal since he scored into an empty net March 14 and first with someone in net since Jan. 21 was overshadowed by their bleak circumstances.
NHL playoffs
Results, schedule
All times Pacific
Western Conference
Edmonton [P2] vs. Kings [P3]
Game 1: Kings 4, at Edmonton 3 (OT)
Game 2: at Edmonton 4, Kings 2
Game 3: at Kings 3, Edmonton 2 (OT)
Game 4: Edmonton 5, at Kings 4 (OT)
Game 5: at Edmonton 6, Kings 3
Saturday at Kings, 7 p.m., TBS
*Monday at Edmonton TBD
Colorado [C1] vs. Seattle [WC1]
Game 1: Seattle 3, at Colorado 1
Game 2: at Colorado 3, Seattle 2
Game 3: Colorado 6, at Seattle 4
Game 4: at Seattle 3, Colorado 2 (OT)
Game 5: Seattle 3, at Colorado 2
Game 6: Colorado 4, at Seattle 1
Sunday at Colorado, 6:30 p.m., TNT
Dallas [C2] vs. Minnesota [C3]
Game 1: Minnesota 3, at Dallas 2 (2OT)
Game 2: at Dallas 7, Minnesota 3
Game 3: at Minnesota 5, Dallas 1
Game 4: Dallas 3, at Minnesota 2
Game 5: at Dallas 4, Minnesota 0
Game 6: Dallas 4, at Minnesota 1
Vegas [P1] vs. Winnipeg [WC2]
Game 1: Winnipeg 5, at Vegas 1
Game 2: at Vegas 5, Winnipeg 2
Game 3: Vegas 5, at Winnipeg 4 (2 OT)
Game 4: Vegas 4, at Winnipeg 2
Game 5: at Vegas 4, Winnipeg 1
Eastern Conference
Boston [A1] vs. Florida [WC2]
Game 1: at Boston 3, Florida 1
Game 2: Florida 6, at Boston 3
Game 3: Boston 4, at Florida 2
Game 4: Boston 6, at Florida 2
Game 5: Florida 4, at Boston 3 (OT)
Game 6: at Florida 7, Boston 5
Sunday at Boston, 12:30 p.m., TNT
Toronto [A2] vs. Tampa Bay [A3]
Game 1: Tampa Bay 7, at Toronto 3
Game 2: at Toronto 7, Tampa Bay 2
Game 3: Toronto 4, at Tampa Bay 3 (OT)
Game 4: Toronto 5, at Tampa Bay 4 (OT)
Game 5: Tampa Bay 4, at Toronto 2
Today at Tampa Bay, 4 p.m., TBS
*Monday at Toronto, TBD
Carolina [M1] vs. NY Islanders [WC1]
Game 1: at Carolina 2, NY Islanders 1
Game 2: at Carolina 4, NY Islanders 3 (OT)
Game 3: at NY Islanders 5, Carolina 1
Game 4: Carolina 5, at NY Islanders 2
Game 5: NY Islanders 3, at Carolina 2 (OT)
Game 6: Carolina 2, at NY Islanders 1
New Jersey [M2] vs. NY Rangers [M3]
Game 1: NY Rangers 5, at New Jersey 1
Game 2: NY Rangers 5, at New Jersey 1
Game 3: New Jersey 2, at NY Rangers 1 (OT)
Game 4: New Jersey 3, at NY Rangers 1
Game 5: at New Jersey 4, NY Rangers 0
Today at NY Rangers, 5 p.m., ABC, ESPN+
*Monday at New Jersey, TBD
*-if necessary
DODGERS
From Mike DiGiovanna: The Dodgers found a kindred spirit in the St. Louis Cardinals Friday night, a fellow defending division champion that has underachieved and underwhelmed as much as they have for the first month of the season.
The struggling visitors served as something of a healing balm for the Dodgers, who overcame a rocky start from Dustin May with an early homer from Mookie Betts and a late two-run shot from Miguel Vargas for a 7-3 victory before a crowd of 48,138 in Chavez Ravine.
May walked two and gave up two runs in a 26-pitch first and needed a career-high 104 pitches to complete five innings, but the Cardinals (10-17) couldn’t put another dent in May or the bullpen until the ninth, when they scored once off left-hander Alex Vesia.
ANGELS
Rowdy Tellez hit a tiebreaking single with two out in the eighth inning, and the Milwaukee Brewers won 2-1 on Friday night to stop the Angels’ three-game winning streak.
Willy Adames had a first-inning home run for Milwaukee, and the Angels’ Gio Urshela hit a two-out RBI single in the fourth as part of a three-for-three night. With two outs and two on, Brewers center fielder Joey Wiemer ran 89 feet to make a leaping backhand catch on the center-field warning track 395 feet from the plate to retire Chad Wallach.
RAMS
From Gary Klein: The Rams on Friday moved to fill a few holes on a roster that is undergoing a major austerity-driven overhaul after last season’s disastrous finish.
They selected Texas Christian offensive lineman Steve Avila in the second round of the NFL draft, and then twice traded back in the third round and chose Tennessee edge rusher Byron Young and Wake Forest defensive lineman Kobie Turner.
But Matthew Stafford remains the only quarterback on the roster. The Rams are thin at several positions, and they are without a kicker, punter or long snapper.
“We’re not going to punt,” general manager Les Snead said jokingly during a news conference at the Rams’ draft house in the San Fernando Valley. “I don’t know who’s kicking off. It’s going to be cool. Be fun to watch.”
CHARGERS
From Jeff Miller: The Chargers want to go a long way in 2023, and their effort to get there continued Friday by staying home.
The team drafted two defenders from Los Angeles, taking USC edge rusher Tuli Tuipulotu in the second round (No. 54 overall) and Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley in the third (No. 85).
Tuipulotu played at Lawndale High and Henley at Crenshaw, where he once even served as a ball boy. Both players recently spent time with the Chargers during the team’s local pro day in Costa Mesa.
Chargers exercise fifth-year option on Justin Herbert with hopes for an extension
UCLA running back Zach Charbonnet is drafted by Seattle, ready for ‘whatever it takes’
THIS DATE IN SPORTS
1901 — His Eminence, ridden by Jimmy Winkfield, wins the Kentucky Derby by 1 1/2 lengths over Sannazarro in the only Derby ever raced in April.
1961 — ABC’s “Wide World of Sports,” debuts.
1963 — LPGA Titleholders Championship Women’s Golf, Augusta CC: Marilynn Smith beats Mickey Wright by 1 shot in 18-hole playoff.
1970 — Lakers guard Jerry West hits a 60-foot desperation shot at the buzzer to tie Game 3 of the NBA Finals against the New York Knicks. The Knicks outscore the Lakers 9-6 in the overtime for a 111-108 win.
1980 — NFL Draft: Oklahoma running back Billy Sims first pick by Detroit Lions.
1981 — MLB Philadelphia Phillies Steve Carlton is 1st lefty to strike out 3,000 batters.
1981 — NFL Draft: South Carolina running back George Rogers first pick by New Orleans Saints.
1985 — Tony Tubbs captures the WBA heavyweight title with a unanimous 15-round decision over Greg Page in Buffalo, N.Y.
1985 — New York Yankees fire manager Yogi Berra 16 games into season, despite assurance from owner George Steinbrenner that he would be kept for the whole season. Billy Martin named as replacement.
1986 — Roger Clemens sets a major league record by striking out 20 batters as the Boston Red Sox defeated the Seattle Mariners 3-1.
1986 — NFL Draft: Auburn running back Bo Jackson first pick by Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
1988 — The Baltimore Orioles end their 21-game losing streak by winning their first game of the season, 9-0 over the Chicago White Sox.
1990 — Pat Riley becomes the winningest coach in NBA playoff history as the Lakers beat the Houston Rockets 104-100. Riley’s 100th victory put him ahead of Red Auerbach.
1998 — For the first time in the 124-year history of the Kentucky Derby, a redraw is ordered during the post-position draw. Churchill Downs officials allowed ESPN to control the announcing of the draw. Commentator Chris Lincoln called the No. 15 pill twice while picking the draft order for post positions.
2000 — Lennox Lewis knocks down Michael Grant three times in the first round and knocks him out at 2:53 of the second at Madison Square Garden in New York to retain his WBC and IBF heavyweight titles. The combined weight of 497 pounds made it the heaviest title fight ever.
2003 — Indiana outscores Boston 5-0 in overtime for a 93-88 victory, cutting the Celtics’ first-round series lead to 3-2. It’s the first overtime shutout in NBA playoff history.
2006 — NFL Draft: North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams first pick from Houston Texans.
2007 — Phoenix guard Steve Nash has 23 assists, one shy of the NBA playoff record, to help Phoenix to a 113-100 victory over the Lakers.
2010 — The NCAA’s Board of Directors approve a 68-team format for the men’s basketball tournament beginning next season. It’s the first expansion since 2001 when the tourney went from 64 to 65 teams.
2013 — NBA veteran center Jason Collins becomes the first male pro athlete in the major four American sports leagues to come out as gay. Collins writes a first-person account posted on Sports Illustrated’s website. The 34-year-old free agent played for six NBA teams in 12 seasons.
2014 — Clippers owner Donald Sterling is banned for life by the NBA in response to racist comments he made in an audio recording. The Clippers’ owner is also fined $2.5 million, the maximum amount allowed under the NBA Constitution.
2018 — Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal equals his Open-era record for most wins at the same event (11 Monte Carlo) with his 11th Barcelona ATP title.
—Compiled by the Associated Press
And finally…
Jerry West makes a 60-foot buzzer beater in the playoffs. Watch and listen here.
Until next time…
That concludes today’s newsletter. If you have any feedback, ideas for improvement or things you’d like to see, email me at [email protected], and follow me on Twitter at @latimeshouston. To get this newsletter in your inbox, click here.