Jack Nicholson hadn’t attended a Lakers game since last year’s opener. He inspired the team to a 40-point win Friday night.
The 86-year-old Nicholson was a fixture sitting courtside at Lakers games for years. Although he hasn’t made a movie since 2010’s “How Do You Know,” Nicholson still attended his favorite team’s games. But after the pandemic, Nicholson attended just one Lake Show game since January 2020.
But perhaps he sensed something special was coming in Game 6. The Lakers took a 15-point lead in the first quarter, led by 17 at halftime and followed with a 41-point third quarter. Los Angeles essentially put the game away with an 8-0 run early in the third, punctuated by an amazing Austin Reaves pass.
After that, the Memphis Grizzlies could be described by the title of Nicholson’s third-to-last film: “The Departed.” And things were over long before then. When Santi Aldama cut the lead to five points in the first quarter, Grizzlies fans wouldn’t realize that moment was “As Good As It Gets.”
It’s possible Nicholson gave up on the Lakers after seeing them start Russell Westbrook, DeAndre Jordan and Kent Bazemore and lose to the Warriors in last year’s opener. But Los Angeles added more than a few good men at the trade deadline, and since then, they’ve been shining.
But with Jack in the building, the Lakers responded. The Grizzlies? They looked ready to go home. Including Ja Morant’s father, Tee. who posed in what looked like a vacation photo before the game.
Now the Lakers are set up for an all-California second round against the Warriors or Kings. We wouldn’t be surprised to see Nicholson courtside again to watch Golden State. LeBron vs. Steph? Something’s gotta give.
