Two former Grizzlies thriving in the playoffs has become one of the most surprising storylines in the Lakers-Rockets series. Marcus Smart and Luke Kennard have delivered impactful performances in LA after lackluster tenures in Memphis. The shorthanded Lakers needed help with Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves out, and they have received it in abundance from those two.

Playoff performances often reshape narratives, and while the series is still early, Smart and Kennard are succeeding. Their time with the Grizzlies wasn’t linked together, as Kennard was there longer. However, both of their stints in Memphis ended poorly, and it’s making the Grizzlies fans sour about their current performances with a Western Conference rival.

Former Grizzlies Thriving for Lakers When it Matters Most
Marcus Smart’s Playoff Edge is Showing

For Marcus Smart, the postseason is natural for him as he made deep runs with the Boston Celtics for nine years. He missed the playoffs the last two seasons while playing for the Grizzlies and Washington Wizards.

While injuries defined his time in Memphis, his performance when available didn’t instill confidence, either. However, his surroundings weren’t the greatest, with the whole team having bad injury luck along with him.

Smart was brought in to be the veteran leader for a young Memphis team that needed grounding. His presence helped, but playing just 39 of a possible 133 games wasn’t conducive to them. The playoffs are what he was really brought in for, but that chance didn’t happen as the Grizzlies moved him at the 2025 trade deadline.

Unfortunately, his health issues were too much to overcome in Memphis. Ironically, he was available for 62 games with the Lakers this season. Now, they are reaping the benefits of his leadership in the playoffs. While his 20-point postseason average on 53.8% shooting from three isn’t expected to keep up, he’s showing the value Memphis expected when they originally acquired him.

Luke Kennard’s Shooting is Finally Maximized

While Luke Kennard’s time lasted longer than Smart’s, he left a lot to be desired in his three seasons in Memphis. The fact that he’s thriving in the playoffs stings more with him letting it fly from three. Kennard’s three-point efficiency was excellent during his time in Memphis.

However, it didn’t transfer to the postseason for different reasons. In his first playoff appearance in Memphis, he shot 50% from deep against the Lakers in 2023. But he only attempted 3.2 threes per game, well below his 5.7 attempts during the regular season that year.

In their series against the Thunder last year, Kennard struggled mightily against OKC’s stifling defense. He attempted even less from three (2.3 per game) and shot a career playoff-worst 22.2%. He is now redeeming himself in another uniform, in both attempts and percentage.

Kennard has attempted a career-high 5.5 threes per game in the Lakers’ first-round series. Even better is his 72.7% shooting from deep to go along with averaging 25 points. A key difference is that he is starting due to injuries versus coming off the bench in Memphis. But managing to get his attempts up could’ve been a positive asset for the Grizzlies.

The Last Word on Smart and Kennard

The story of these former Grizzlies thriving in the playoffs isn’t a shock. Smart has experience in that department, and Kennard has always had the ability. Whether it was the system, fit, injuries, etc., the Grizzlies didn’t get these versions of them. Fortunately for the Lakers, they have been benefiting from it, and the Grizzlies can only move forward in their quest to return to the playoffs.

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