The Grizzlies finished their regular season with a loss Sunday afternoon in an away game meeting against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The final score was 115-100, but that doesn’t really tell the whole story. Game 82 was ultimately meaningless but wonderfully weird. Memphis had already locked in the number-two seed in the West, and the outcome of this game would have no impact on that.
Let’s get into it.
Where to start? The fact that the Grizzlies played a roster of six players, total, and were not completely run out of the arena is kind of amazing. Sitting on the bench in street clothes were Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr, Dillon Brooks, Desmond Bane, and Luke Kennard, who joined the injured Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke.
It was a textbook example of we’re not really sending our best guys. No shade intended, but when you think of the best the Grizzlies have to offer, Ziaire Williams and John Konchar are not who come to mind. It makes sense to rest your star players when the game has no bearing, but it does not make for the most entertaining basketball. Calling the first half garbage would have been an insult to garbage.
However.
If nothing else, there was a tremendous bright spot: watching Kenneth Lofton Jr put up a career-high 42 points and 14 rebounds. Lofton just signed a multi-year contract with Memphis, after spending the season on a two-way deal going between the Grizzlies and their G-League affiliate, the Memphis Hustle. He was also voted the G-League’s Rookie of the Year. Lofton’s new contract will make him available during the postseason.
By The Numbers:
Kenneth Lofton Jr led all scorers with 42 points and 14 rebounds.
Ziaire Williams put up a season-high 24 points, 4 rebounds, and 9 assists.
Vince Williams Jr had 15 points, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals.
David Roddy finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Who Got Next?
It’s playoffs season!
The Grizzlies will play game one of their first-round series Sunday, April 16th, against either the Los Angeles Lakers or the Minnesota Timberwolves.
