Carmelo Anthony said the best part about passing Moses Malone for No. 9 on the all-time scoring list in the Los Angeles Lakers’ 121-118 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday is the level he’s been able to sustain nearly two decades into his NBA career. “I’m still here doing it,” Anthony said after scoring 18 of his team-high 28 points in the second half to seal the victory. “I think that’s what I’m honestly excited about. I’m here in year 19 still doing what I’m able to do. Still passionate about the game. Still passionate about coming to work every day and getting better. And what a better night to reach ninth than with a win, the way that we needed a win tonight.”
Source: Dave McMenamin @ ESPN
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Dave McMenamin @mcten
New story: “They gave up on him,” said LeBron James. As Carmelo hit a career milestone to begin his newest chapter with the Lakers, his teammates took extra satisfaction in the feat considering that it wasn’t too long ago the league didn’t want Melo es.pn/3Ehe7IX – 3:43 AM
Chris Palmer @ChrisPalmerNBA
Melo’s big 28 off the bench is the talk of the day. Did you know he also had 28 off the bench for the Rockets and Blazers. – 2:00 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Watch Carmelo Anthony pass Moses Malone for ninth on NBA all-time scoring list nba.nbcsports.com/2021/10/25/wat… – 1:38 AM
LeBron James @KingJames
#StayMelo @Carmelo Anthony 🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 – 1:31 AM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
LeBron James breaks down what makes Carmelo Anthony unique as a scorer pic.twitter.com/D6fl7D5CY1 – 1:21 AM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
LeBron was pleased to be able to congratulate Carmelo Anthony on moving up to No. 9 all-time in the NBA’s scoring list — and to do it in person. pic.twitter.com/T3Db8pctsv – 1:14 AM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Melo on becoming the 9th leading NBA scorer of all-time. pic.twitter.com/TOwtf2f2dC – 1:08 AM
David Locke @DLocke09
Lakers beat Grizzlies by 3 at home tonight
Melo went 10 of 15 from the field and 6 of 8 from three
Lakers shot 16 of 30 from three
As much as I wouldn’t overreact to the first two losses I wouldn’t overreact to this win either – 1:08 AM
Drew Hill @DrewHill_DM
Carmelo Anthony on @Ja Morant: “He is the future of the NBA. He shows that every night he plays the game.” – 1:05 AM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Carmelo Anthony given the game ball for climbing to No. 9 on the all-time scoring list. Melo said team asked him to give a speech, but he said he was too tired pic.twitter.com/NPd9rlwAV2 – 1:05 AM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Carmelo Anthony on Ja Morant, a player on the ascent, going up against the Lakers’ veteran stars: “It’s showtime every time teams go up against us. We know that, expect that. Someone like Ja, he’s … the future of this NBA. And he shows that every single night.” – 1:05 AM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
‘Melo after scoring 28 points, key to the win, and passing Moses Malone in the process, was asked about his teammates in the locker room:
“They gave me the game ball. They wanted me to give a speech … but I was too tired (laughs).” – 1:04 AM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Melo: “A hell of a night.” pic.twitter.com/6wEQsQMAH7 – 1:04 AM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Carmelo Anthony: “They wanted me to make a speech but I was too tired.” – 1:03 AM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Anthony Davis says it’s “an honor” to play with Carmelo Anthony. pic.twitter.com/ANK7iWrA1A – 1:00 AM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
AD on Melo:
“A couple years ago, nobody wanted him. He was counted out. Doubted.
“…He’s been great for us so far. And I know he’s going to be great for us all year.” – 12:59 AM
CBS NBA @CBSSportsNBA
Carmelo Anthony passes Moses Malone for ninth place on NBA’s all-time scoring list
cbssports.com/nba/news/carme… – 12:54 AM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
More to come, but for starters: Carmelo Anthony, Lakers hold off Ja Morant, Grizzlies for 1st win ocregister.com/2021/10/24/car… – 12:41 AM
Chris Palmer @ChrisPalmerNBA
Melo is the oldest Laker in history with at least 28 points off the bench. – 12:33 AM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Props to @Dave McMenamin for getting Frank Vogel to give Syracuse a shoutout when talking about Melo climbing to No. 9 on the all-time scoring list pic.twitter.com/C05UbKqrec – 12:24 AM
Law Murray @LawMurrayTheNU
Melo really outscored that entire Grizzlies bench by himself 28-22 tonight
Melo went 10/15 with 6 3s
Grizzlies bench went 10/29 with 1 3 – 12:23 AM
Kurt Helin @basketballtalk
Frank Vogel on Carmelo passing Moses Malone for 9th all time in scoring: “He didn’t crawl up on that record, he blew the doors off it.” – 12:22 AM
Bill Oram @billoram
Frank Vogel on Carmelo Anthony moving into ninth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list: “He didn’t crawl up to that milestone. He blew the doors off it.” – 12:20 AM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Lakers 121, Memphis 118 | Ja: 40 pts, 10 assists.
Carmelo Anthony with 27,423 points now, moving into ninth all-time. Twenty-eight came tonight on 10-15 shooting, 6-8 from 3.
Vogel: “Carmelo Anthony was awesome tonight, he didn’t crawl up that milestone, blew the doors of it.” – 12:20 AM
Peter Edmiston @peteredmiston
Pretty remarkable – watching the Lakers postgame show on a night where they got their first win and where Melo moved up to 9th all-time in scoring, they were spending more time talking about Ja Morant than the Lakers – Robert Horry said Ja Morant is an MVP candidate a la D Rose – 12:19 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Frank Vogel on Carmelo Anthony scoring 28 points tonight and moving into ninth all-time on the NBA’s scoring list: “He didn’t crawl up to that milestone. He blew the doors off of it.” – 12:19 AM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Frank Vogel on Carmelo Anthony surpassing Moses Malone for 9th on the all-time scoring list: “He didn’t crawl up to that milestone. He blew the doors off of it.” – 12:19 AM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
A lot went right in this game…
– Best game for Russ as a Laker.
– Anthony Davis looked like a DPOY.
– Olympic Melo.
– Austin Reaves is our new memelord.
But the Lakers aren’t gonna shoot 53% on 3’s every night. The D has to be better. Opponents continue to penetrate with ease – 12:14 AM
Peter Edmiston @peteredmiston
Lakers got a throwback game from Melo, they shot 53% from the field and 53% from three, and yet they hung on to beat the Grizzlies. Grizzlies have got to get something more from their bench, it’s a pretty big issue early in the year. – 12:14 AM
Bill Oram @billoram
The Lakers are finally victorious. They survive a scare from Memphis (and 40 points from Ja Morant) to win 121-118. On a night he moved into 9th on the NBA scoring list, Carmelo Anthony led LA with 28 points. AD with 22 points and 4 blocks. Russ 13 points and 13 assists. – 12:06 AM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
The Lakers win their first game of the season, beating the Memphis Grizzlies, 121-118.
Carmelo Anthony had 28 points on 10-for-15 shooting, 6-for-8 from deep.
Ja Morant was brilliant with 40 points, but missed a free throw that would’ve tied the score. – 12:06 AM
Michael Gallagher @MikeSGallagher
Fantasy adds from tonight (0-30% on Y!):
Shallow
(I’m assuming Seth Curry, Tate, Melton, Bane and Giddey, etc are on rosters basically everywhere)
12 team
Cole Anthony
Davion Mitchell
Derrick Rose
Franz Wagner
Deep
Grant Williams
Carmelo Anthony
Otto Porter Jr. – 12:05 AM
Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Lakers get 1st Win of Season, 121-118 over the Grizz…
-Carmelo 28pts off the Bench
-Russ 13pts 13ast 7rebs 4stls
-Lebron 19pts 6ast 6rebs 2stls 2blks
-AD 22pts 8rebs 4blks
Ja Morant 40pts + 10ast, misses key ft…Next up, at San Antonio vs Spurs on Tues
@ESPNLosAngeles – 12:05 AM
StatMuse @statmuse
Carmelo Anthony tonight:
28 PTS
10-15 FG
6-8 3P
He moved to 9th on the all-time scoring list. pic.twitter.com/dRLnPsTKdp – 12:05 AM
Brad Turner @BA_Turner
Lakers win first game of season, a 121-118 victory over Memphis, behind 28 points from Melo, 22 from Ad, 19 from LeBron, 13 points and 13 assists from Russ. – 12:05 AM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
It wasn’t easy, but the Lakers get their first win of the season, 121-118, over Memphis. Melo 28p on 10-of-15 2b; AD 22p 8r 4b; LeBron 19p on 7-of-19 6r 6a 2s 2b; Russ 13p on 5-of-15 13a 7r 3s 9tos; Baze 11p on 3-of-3 and one near ruinous foul on Morant. – 12:05 AM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Final: Lakers 121, Grizzlies 118
The Lakers win their first game of the season to improve to 1-2. A gritty win for LA, withstanding a special night from Ja Morant (40 & 10). Melo had 28 points. LeBron had 19/6/6. AD had 22 & 8. Russ had 13/7/13.
Up next: at San Antonio on Tues. – 12:05 AM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Lakers stop the bleeding and walk away with a 121-118 win over the Grizzlies. Ja Morant missed the last of three foul shots. Melo then iced the game with two foul shots, capping off a nice 28-point performance off the bench. – 12:05 AM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
FT line tonight: Monk 2 for 2 (the last 2), Melo yet to attempt, LeBron 1 for 2, Davis 3 for 5, Westbrook (the inbounder) 2 for 4. – 11:57 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Memphis has trimmed the lead to 1 with 11.2 seconds left when Bazemore intentionally fouled a driving Morant out on the perimeter, giving the Grizz 2 FT’s.
‘Melo had missed a 2, and Westbrook couldn’t secure the rebound.
Malik Monk in for Bazemore for FT purposes. – 11:53 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Lakers’ challenge is successful. Melo with a huge role both with his scoring and a late-game stop….. – 11:44 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
The Lakers’ challenge is successful. No foul on Carmelo Anthony. – 11:44 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
On replay, it looked to be a clean strip from Carmelo Anthony on a Ja Morant drive attempt. Ruling on the floor was a foul on ‘Melo. Lakers are challenging.
Big call with LAL up 3, 57.6 left. – 11:43 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Will be Westbrook, Bazemore, LeBron, ‘Melo and AD for the final 3:03, with LAL up 111-106 after a Bazemore 3. Anthony just replaced Reaves, who was a +18 in his 18 bench minutes tonight, trailing only ‘Melo’s +21. – 11:37 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Frank Vogel has used a smaller rotation tonight. He’s gone with nine players: the starters plus Melo, Monk, Dwight and Reaves. Avery Bradley (2 minutes) and Rajon Rondo (DNP-CD) have been phased out. – 11:31 PM
Micah Adams @MicahAdams13
Carmelo Anthony is 9th on the all-time scoring list.
Darko Milicic is 1,352nd on the all-time scoring list. – 11:29 PM
Tony Jones @Tjonesonthenba
Bron and Melo took over – 11:28 PM
David Locke @DLocke09
What is Memphis doing defensively leaving guys wide open for three. Melo twice, then LeBron and now Monk
WIDE OPEN !!! – 11:28 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
Monk + Melo have 8 combined triples off the bench after Monk’s 2nd of the evening, and 34 total points. Huge lift on offense. – 11:28 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
During timeout, Lakers play a video tribute for Melo climbing to No. 9 on NBA’s all-time scoring list pic.twitter.com/ko9at9NhDi – 11:28 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
Carmelo Anthony is hotter than Andy Capp’s. On the night he already moved up to No. 9 on the all-time scoring list, he has a team-high 24 points on 9-for-12 shooting off the bench, including a 6-for-8 mark from 3. pic.twitter.com/esl85KxcTB – 11:27 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
The crowd just started chanting, “Melo, Melo.” – 11:26 PM
Sam Quinn @SamQuinnCBS
The true hooper accounts are going to be insufferable tonight, but if the Lakers win this game, Carmelo Anthony is going to be a big reason why. This is the Olympic Melo we wanted for years. – 11:26 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Carmelo Anthony just got a standing ovation from the crowd at Staples Center for passing Moses Malone as the 9th all-time scoring leader.
He’s 9-for-12 from the field and 6-for-8 from deep, including making two 3s in the last 30 seconds.
He has 24 points with 8:22 left. – 11:26 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Carmelo Anthony is scorching right now, up to 24 points — more than LeBron, AD or Russ — after his sixth 3-pointer. This was what the Lakers envisioned when they signed him. His shooting has made the Grizzlies pay for overloading on LeBron and AD. – 11:26 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
‘Melo on absolute fire. He’s 6 of 8 from 3 after consecutive makes, and has 24 off the bench on 9 of 12 FG’s.
@Los Angeles Lakers had a tribute video for him for surpassing Moses Malone during the time out. – 11:26 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
The Lakers just gave Carmelo Anthony a video tribute for being the ninth leading scorer of all-time pic.twitter.com/2ocJiPczyT – 11:24 PM
Joe Mullinax @sbnGrizzlies
Not a great start to the fourth quarter. However, Melo is helping me in fantasy. That’s all. – 11:24 PM
Rob Perez @WorldWideWob
Melo has 15,000 people doing three-to-the-dome in unison right now. – 11:24 PM
Mike Richman @mikegrich
Melo can still shoot it, huh? – 11:24 PM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Today was the day Carmelo Anthony finally became President (of Los Angeles). AK – 11:24 PM
Vincent Goodwill @VinceGoodwill
Carmelo Anthony saving the Lakers season – 11:24 PM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
Playing like Hoodie Melo – 11:23 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
So much for taking on a relegated role, Melo is still leading the Lakers in scoring while coming off the bench. – 11:23 PM
Chris Herring @Herring_NBA
Carmelo not missing a thing tonight – 11:23 PM
Bill Oram @billoram
Carmelo Anthony: 5-of-7 from 3. – 11:22 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
This is what the Lakers were looking for when they signed Carmelo Anthony. When he gets going, he can transform a game. Tonight he has 18 points on 7-for-10 shooting, including going 4-for-6 from beyond the arc. – 11:21 PM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
To cap a week in which he was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, Carmelo Anthony passed Moses Malone tonight to become the ninth all-time leading scorer in league history. Melo entered Sunday’s play needing 15 points to move up.
More NBA from me: https://t.co/LGN9cVpeGP pic.twitter.com/2pjjwVg6pJ – 11:19 PM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Grizzlies 90, Lakers 87 | End 3 | Ja, man. 10 points on 5-8 shooting and 6 assists in the third quarter alone. (27 and 10 for the game.)
Carmelo Anthony, meanwhile, keeping the Lakers close. He buried two of his four 3-pointers in that period. – 11:19 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Before season, Melo to me on soon being 9th on scoring list:”Those are fun & exciting things to look forward to. All of that is a part of the journey & part of the actual experience. which is an actual championship. But in between that, we have these moments we should appreciate” – 11:11 PM
Mike Bresnahan @Mike_Bresnahan
With that three-pointer, Carmelo Anthony passed Moses Malone for ninth on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. He now has 27,411 points. – 11:10 PM
Brad Turner @BA_Turner
With 3 pointer, Melo just passed Moses Malone (27,409) for No. 9 on NBA’s all-time scoring list. Melo has 27,411 points and more to come – 11:09 PM
Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
Per Lakers Media Relations…Carmelo passes Moses Malone for 9th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list – 11:08 PM
Marc J. Spears @MarcJSpears
With his sixth field goal of the night, Carmelo Anthony passed Moses Malone for ninth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. pic.twitter.com/OFSxzH0qqb – 11:08 PM
Bill Oram @billoram
Carmelo Anthony is having his best game as a Laker and with his last 3 just passed Moses Malone for ninth on the all-time scoring list. – 11:08 PM
Arash Markazi @ArashMarkazi
Carmelo Anthony has passed Moses Malone for ninth place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. – 11:08 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
With that 3-pointer, Carmelo Anthony passes Moses Malone for 9th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list. – 11:08 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
There it is. @Carmelo Anthony has surpassed Moses Malone for 9th on the NBA’s all-time scoring list, with a wing 3-pointer that swished through the net. – 11:08 PM
Dave McMenamin @mcten
With that 3, Carmelo Anthony has 16 points for the game and 27,411 for his career, moving past Moses Malone for No. 9 on the all-time list. That means that seven of the top nine scorers in league history have worn the purple and gold at some point of their career. – 11:07 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Melo just needs another basket to surpass Moses Malone for No. 9 on the NBA’s all-time scoring list – 11:07 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
‘Melo now 2 points away from Moses Malone after hitting his 3rd 3 of the night. – 11:06 PM
Mike Trudell @LakersReporter
* @Carmelo Anthony is 5 points away from surpassing Moses Malone (27,409) for 9th on the @NBA‘s all-time leading scoring list.
His teammate @LeBron James is 3rd with 35,432. – 10:49 PM
Jovan Buha @jovanbuha
Halftime: Lakers 62, Grizzlies 56
Anthony Davis has 13 points and 7 rebounds. Russell Westbrook has 9 points and 10 assists. Carmelo Anthony is a team-best +15 — this was his best half as a Laker. Austin Reaves has helped on both ends. Rajon Rondo didn’t play in the first half. – 10:37 PM
Allen Sliwa @AllenSliwa
At the Half, Lakers up 62-56…
-Westbrook 9pts 10ast 4rebs
-AD 13pts 7rebs
-Carmelo 10pts
@ESPNLosAngeles – 10:36 PM
Brad Turner @BA_Turner
Russ has 9 points, 10 assists, AD 13 points, 7 rebounds, Melo 10 points as Lakers open 62-56 lead over Memphis at the half – 10:36 PM
Melissa Rohlin @melissarohlin
Carmelo Anthony has been a spark plug tonight. He has eight points on 3-for-4 shooting in 5 minutes. – 10:09 PM
Mirjam Swanson @MirjamSwanson
Lakers 29, Memphis 24 | End 1 | The hosts erase a 10-point deficit, hitting just one jumper — Carmelo Anthony’s 28-footer with 38.6 seconds left in the period. Ja Morant hurled his mouthpiece toward the scorer’s table after the buzzer, frustrated by how the quarter ended. – 10:08 PM
Micah Adams @MicahAdams13
Is there any player in NBA history who elicits the anticipatory “ooohhhh” from a crowd on a random 19-footer long 2 more than Carmelo Anthony? – 9:57 PM
Mark Medina @MarkG_Medina
Melo has been expanding his game to the perimeter pic.twitter.com/q6koeApiEC – 7:36 PM
Steve Popper @StevePopper
Throwback row at MSG – Porzingis, Lin, Hardaway and Carmelo. pic.twitter.com/bxptmp64Om – 7:07 PM
James Plowright @British_Buzz
Borrego on Ish Smith “Really proud of him, first half wasn’t quite there for him… He bounced back with a great effort in the 2nd half, this is why we brought him in… Give Melo a lot of credit he said “Ride out Ish” that’s a credit to him” – 6:29 PM
More on this storyline
James, who along with Anthony make up the first pair of 19-year veterans to ever play together in league history, also was sure to bring up how the league recently turned a cold shoulder toward Anthony. “He’s been doing it for quite a while and it’s just beautiful to continue to see, especially when you know, they gave up on him,” James said. -via ESPN / October 25, 2021
Bill Oram: Here’s the Lakers tribute to Carmelo Anthony after moving into ninth on the scoring list. Sellout crowd now chanting, “Melo! Melo! Melo!” -via Twitter @billoram / October 25, 2021
Monte Poole: Stephen Curry records his 5,000th assist, 69th player to reach that level. -via Twitter @MontePooleNBCS / October 25, 2021