Author: Sharon Brown

Sharon Brown is a University of Memphis graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies with a concentration in Legal Studies. Born and raised in the Mississippi Delta, Sharon is one of the Memphis Grizzlies beat writers for the Memphis Flyer. She has created a niche in the industry by co-founding All Heart in Hoop City — a unique community of women sportswriters.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

The Grindfather’s Legacy Personified

Tony Allen and Zach Randolph prior to the Grizzlies vs. Miami Heat Game on Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Photo by: Sharon Brown)

When Future’s “Go Harder” erupted inside FedExForum midway through the first quarter on Saturday night, it served as a telltale sign that Tony Allen was somewhere in sight. 

As the camera panned to Allen in a suite with his family, the crowd erupted when he raised one finger in a symbolic nod to his “First Team,” mantra. 

The saying goes, “If you love Memphis, Memphis will love you back.” Allen, fondly known as “The Grindfather,” exemplifies that notion. After the 125-91 win over the Miami Heat, the Memphis Grizzlies honored their adopted son, retiring his iconic number 9 jersey to the FedExForum rafters, forever cementing his legacy in the city he loves.

Widely respected for his fierce and unrelenting defensive style, Allen is regarded as one of the premier defenders of his era in the NBA. After being drafted out of Oklahoma State by the Boston Celtics, Allen won an NBA championship before joining the Grizzlies as a free agent in 2010. His legacy, largely defined by his defensive prowess, earned him six All-Defensive team selections during his time with the Grizzlies.

While some may have raised eyebrows over the decision to retire Allen’s jersey, citing the lack of a championship or gaudy offensive statistics, his indelible mark on the team’s culture and tenacious approach to the game cannot be overstated. His influence extended far beyond the box score, significantly impacting the team’s winning ways both on and off the court.

Kendrick Lamar’s profound words echo the truth: “You can’t fake influence.” The phrase succinctly captures the genuine and lasting imprint Tony Allen has left on the Grizzlies franchise and the city itself.

During the ceremony, former Grizzlies and Chicago native Derrick Rose, Paul Pierce, Allen’s mentor and former Boston Celtics teammate, Zach Randolph, and Marc Gasol spoke affectionately about Allen, bringing him to tears. 

Also in attendance were former Coach Lionel Hollins, Rudy Gay, former GM Chris Wallace, Vince Carter, Beno Udrih, Quincy Pondexter, and Glynn Cyprien. 

An emotional Allen thanked his family, former coaches, teammates, and the passionate Grizz Nation for the honor they bestowed upon him. He was his authentic self throughout his speech. 

In one memorable moment Allen said of his time with Memphis, “We weren’t no glitz and glamour-y team.” You come in here, we might slap the shit out of you. See what I’m saying? That’s how we rocked.”

With self-deprecating humor, Allen poked fun at his own limited offensive skills, recalling how he was often instructed to simply stand in the corner and stay out of the way when the Grizzlies were on offense.

To conclude his more than 20 minute speech Allen said, “I thank y’all— that’s my speech. I’m ready to see that thang in the rafters.” 

As the jersey ascended, the energetic beats of Young Jeezy’s “Put On” blasted, and Allen celebrated the moment by dancing with his wife and children.

Reaction from Fans

“My favorite player will forever be Tony Allen,” said longtime fan Katee Forbis. “He’s been a great example to this city that our mistakes don’t have to define us and that being underestimated can be reframed into motivation for our success. Tony has meant the world to me — and as his self-proclaimed number one fan, he was always gracious and kind to me. There will never be another player exactly like Tony Allen. His passion and heart for the game are unmatched and that’s why Memphis will always love him.”

Memphis native and devoted Grizzlies fan, Tee Crawford, an Army veteran, has been cheering on the team since its arrival in the city. He wholeheartedly believes that Tony Allen’s jersey retirement is a well-deserved honor.

Crawford credits Zach Randolph and  Allen for elevating the team and city. He praised Allen’s toughness and defensive skills, which helped Mike Conley and Marc Gasol improve their defense, nearly leading to an NBA Finals appearance. Crawford also considers Allen essential to the team’s success during the Grit and Grind era.

“I really enjoyed the Tony Allen: The Grindfather documentary on YouTube,” said Crawford. It was inspirational to see all the issues that he encountered and overcame to make his dream of playing in the NBA come true. I love the fact he gives back to communities like the one he grew up in and also the fact that he loves Memphis and is an ambassador for the city.”

For Grizzlies season ticket holder Elizabeth Smith, Tony Allen played a crucial role in shaping the identity of Grizzlies basketball. She noted that before his arrival, the team was struggling to find its footing, and fans like herself were only casually invested in the team.

Smith recalled, “TA was an integral part of changing that when he laced up for the Grizz. He didn’t care about stats, highlights, or flashy plays — he cared about one thing: locking up the other team’s best player and making their night miserable. The moment he said ‘All Heart. Grit. Grind.’ in that postgame interview, he wasn’t just talking — he was setting the standard. That wasn’t just a catchphrase; it was the identity of our city, team, and fans who packed the Grindhouse. ‘First Team All-Defense’ wasn’t just a phrase he shouted on the court; it became a movement.”

Smith added: “That’s why we love him. He wasn’t just a player — he is one of us. He played with the same toughness, grit, and passion the city and Grizzlies fans take pride in. He never tried to be something he wasn’t. He just worked, and in doing that, he helped give Grizzlies fans like me something to believe in. The Grindfather helped make Memphis Grizzlies basketball matter. He made teams fear coming here. He made defense cool. He will always be First Team All-Defense in our hearts. Thanks, TA for helping Grizz fans believe we could rise to new heights – #GNG.” 

With tears, Malenda Meacham, aka Bongo Lady, recounted an emotional evening celebrating Allen’s jersey retirement. She praised Allen for embracing Memphis’ values of heart, grit, and grind, and feels the honor was long overdue. Meacham expressed her admiration for Allen’s lifelong dedication and proudly declared herself a loyal fan, or “ride or die,” since his arrival in Memphis.

“He means everything to this city and he deserves his flowers,” said Meacham. “I truly believe it was an honor of my lifetime to witness Tony Allen playing for the Memphis Grizzlies and then watching his jersey be retired. I have all the feels. Thank you, Tony Allen! Love, Bongo Lady and the entire city of Memphis.”

Corby Stokes, Sr., program coordinator of Heal901, a Memphis non-profit, praised Allen for his gritty and tenacious playing style, which resonated with the city of Memphis. Although he wasn’t a superstar, his heart and determination made him a beloved role player, embodying the city’s spirit of resilience and perseverance.

Stokes told the Flyer: “People can say a lot of bad things about this city, but some great people come here because of the struggles and things that they grew up with. And Tony (Allen) is another one of those people who’s cut from that same cloth, growing up in inner-city Chicago, which I’m sure relates a lot to Memphis. It relates a lot to Chicago, in which there are some of the social determinants of violence that’s going on. And he is taking the time and investing in our community, investing in our youth, and seeing what’s wrong and trying to be a part of the change.” 

Stokes went on:  “It just means so much to us that TA is working with us, because we look at all the youth in our city as our babies, not just our own individual children by blood, but the youth in general. And so when those who have come to our city and now call our city home, see that, and they put their hands to the plow and work along with us to try to correct those wrongs in this city is exciting and I am honored to be a part of it.”

Recently, Allen helped bring One City Basketball, a Chicago-based initiative founded by former Grizzlies player Joakim Noah to Memphis, partnering with organizations like Heal 901, Noah’s Arc Foundation, Memphis Allies, Cities United and Cure Violence.

Allen is just the third Grizzlies player to receive the honor of having his jersey retired, joining  Randolph and Gasol. 

“I want to share this with everybody,” Allen said. “I want this to not just be about me, but I want all of us to embrace this because I just think this is a dream come true.”

Allen and Memphis are a perfect union, and Saturday night’s celebration was a testament to the deep affection between the city and its adopted son. The evening was filled with a palpable sense of love and mutual admiration, as Memphis reciprocated Allen’s enduring devotion. All Heart, Grit and Grind, forever. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Blaze Past Heat

Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane shaking hands during the game against the Miami Heat on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at FedExForum (Photo by: Grant Burke/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies handed the Miami Heat their seventh consecutive loss, cruising to a 125-91 victory Saturday at FedExForum.

Rebounding from a disappointing loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, the Grizzlies surged ahead with a 21-9 second-quarter run, establishing a 63-48 halftime lead. Their momentum continued into the fourth quarter, where they expanded their advantage to as many as 32 points with 10:51 remaining.

Memphis shot an impressive 55% from the field and dominated the paint, scoring a season-high-allowed 72 points against the Heat. This marked the most points in the paint conceded by the Heat since 2008, when they allowed 76. 

The Grizzlies moved to 24-10 when recording 60+ paint points.

Following the convincing win, Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins expressed pride in his team’s well-rounded performance.

He said, “I told the guys afterwards, this is the urgency we have to play with on both sides of the floor, not just defensively. I thought we executed our game plan for the most part, really, really well. Guys were active, they were disciplined. And then I thought our quick decision making was there on the offensive side, we played with a little bit of pace, ball movement, and multiple guys with multiple assists. Definitely an impressive win.”

Jenkins added, “The bench guys coming in, Scotty (Pippen Jr.giving us a boost — Lamar (Stevens) gave us a boost. BC, (Brandon Clarke) Cam (Spencer) those guys did a phenomenal job.” 

“Obviously, Des (Desmond Bane) was high level, almost a triple double,” Jenkins continued. “I thought he set a tone, with his defensive rebounding, defensive activity. And obviously it’s unselfish play-making on top of his scoring. So definitely the version that we’re going to need more consistently. And the challenge is can we take it on the road for the longest road trip of the season.”

The Grizzlies were without Ja Morant due to shoulder soreness on a second night of a back-to-back. 

Following the Grizzlies’ loss to Cleveland on Friday, Jaren Jackson Jr., who is working his way back from an ankle injury indicated that it would likely take a few games for him to get back to form. 

Just one day later, Jackson Jr. turned in a resounding performance, leading the Grizzlies with 31 points on an impressive 72.2% shooting (13-of-18), to go along with six rebounds and two blocked shots.

Bane stated that Jackson Jr.’s strong work ethic allows him to bounce back so quickly.

After a disappointing showing against the Cavaliers, Bane delivered a standout effort, falling just shy of a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals, while connecting on 4-of-5 three-point attempts.

Bane downplayed his poor outing on Friday, saying “it’s basketball” expressing confidence in his work and that he made no adjustments. 

Up Next

Memphis is set to begin a five-game road swing, visiting Sacramento, Portland, the LA Clippers, Utah, and Oklahoma City from March 17 to 27.

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Uncategorized

Grizzlies Win Fourth Straight Game

Luke Kennard handing the ball against the Utah Jazz on March 12, 2025 at FedExForum (Photo by: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies invoked the “Call 12” mantra (Ja Morant) while joining forces with Memphis-10 (Luke Kennard to seal a thrilling 122-115 victory over the Utah Jazz Wednesday night, stretching their winning streak to four games.

At the half, Memphis was up by 14 points but Utah came storming back to make it a contest in the second half. 

Collin Sexton converted on a jumper to put the Jazz ahead 115-114 with 1:16 remaining, but the Grizzlies swiftly regained the lead as Luke Kennard drained a crucial three-pointer. Morant then delivered the finishing blow, knocking down another three to extend the Grizzlies’ advantage to 120-115 with only 12 seconds left.

Memphis converted 20-of-44 from beyond the arc (.455), including 7-of-10 in the fourth quarter. 

Kennard led the Grizzlies with career-high tying 30 points on 11 of 14 from the field including 7 of 9 from three. After the game, he talked about the importance of being aggressive — more active on both ends of the court, focusing on rebounding, creating deflections, and finding his rhythm early in the game.

Morant’s 28-point, seven-assist performance helped Memphis improve its season record to 42-24.

The All-Star guard acknowledged that the game against the Jazz wasn’t easy, despite their record. He emphasized that every NBA player deserves respect, and that the Jazz players came to play hard. Morant noted that his team had to lock in and stay focused after the Jazz cut into their lead, before ultimately securing the win.

Desmond Bane provided a strong all-around effort with 17 points, nine assists, and five rebounds, while Scotty Pippen Jr. delivered a boost off the bench, contributing 11 points, six assists, and a team-high four steals.

Roster News

The Grizzlies announced that forward Lamar Stevens was signed for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old has been helping off the bench and scored a season-high 13 points, including a career-high four 3-pointers, in a win on March 10 vs Phoenix. 

Up Next 

The Grizzlies face a formidable challenge as they host the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, March 15, with tip-off scheduled for 7 pm at FedExForum. Cleveland currently is on a 15-game winning streak. 

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Morant, Bane Propel Grizzlies to Win Over Pelicans

Ja Morant goes up for a shot during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 9, 2025. (Photo by: Layne Murdock Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies edged out the undermanned New Orleans Pelicans 107-104 in a closely contested matchup Sunday night.

The Grizzlies are gaining momentum, having won two consecutive games after a dismal 1-4 performance on their recent 5-game homestand. The slump caused them to drop from second to fourth seed in the Western Conference.

Memphis dominated on the glass against New Orleans, grabbing 57 rebounds and scoring 24 second-chance points versus New Orleans’ 39 rebounds and 11 second-chance points.

The Grizzlies faced a 65-57 halftime deficit after surrendering 37 points in the second quarter. However, they regrouped and limited the Pelicans to just 15 points in the third quarter, seizing an 89-79 advantage heading into the final period.

Ja Morant had a standout performance, leading Memphis with 32 points to go along with six assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Morant has now scored 30-plus points in his last two games. His season average is 21.2 points per game.

In a post-game interview with FanDuel Sports Network’s Rob Fischer, Ja Morant noted that despite the win, there are still areas where his team needs to improve.

 “Just came out with more energy,” Morant said of the third quarter difference. “We just once again man — our first half, we just be giving up easy baskets, not really engaged, locked in defensively, and then it takes a little wake up call, which is unacceptable for us. We got to be locked in as soon as the ball goes up in the air and so we won’t be in situations like this.”

Morant also acknowledged a slight improvement in the team’s defense, but emphasized that there is still significant room for growth and that they cannot be satisfied with their defensive performance over the last two games.

Desmond Bane put on a show, falling just shy of a triple-double with 30 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and two steals, as Memphis improved  to 40-24 on the season. 

Morant sang the praises of his backcourt partner, Bane.

“Very impressive — but I know the work he put in. I know the situations and the talks we have with each other. He’s built for it. And he’s showing it, night in and night out, as you saw tonight. 

Morant continued, “He filled up the stat sheet. I think it was a couple off, triple-double again and that’s big-time play for us, a will to win. We have a guy like that.part of leading the charge and everybody else follows. So we just got to continue to keep grinding, keep going, keep getting better and just play hard.”

Off the bench Scotty Pippen Jr. added 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. 

The Grizzlies will host the Phoenix Suns Monday night at FedExForum, kicking off a four-game homestand. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Ja Morant Has to Be Unapologetically Ja

Ja Morant drives the ball past Jordan Clarkson. Credit: Rob Gray/AP Photo

The Memphis Grizzlies are on a four-game losing streak after falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-103 on Wednesday night. This loss comes after a tough home stand, where they went 1-4.

The Grizzlies have lost seven of their last nine games, dropping them to fourth place in the Western Conference with a 38-24 record.

Ja Morant candidly expressed his frustration with his performance in his return game against the Thunder, conceding that he probably shouldn’t have played due to health concerns. However, he also seemed resigned to the fact that his injuries have been an ongoing issue all season, and his focus remains on securing wins despite these challenges. Morant’s lack of availability has been a persistent concern, and his inability to play more than five consecutive games remains an issue.

Every statement made by the 25-year-old will be subject to intense examination and analysis. 

However, the message conveyed in response to adversity is crucial.

“Just stay strong, stay with it,” Morant said in the locker room after the loss against OKC. “It’s a long season — we’ve got a couple more games left. Just lock in. Get guys back healthy and go back to playing our basketball.”

He went on to say, “We’ve been through the whole season together. Ups and downs, hard practices, traveling on the road, fatigue. But, we always seem to respond. So it’s no different from here.”

His parting message amidst the team’s current challenges, “Just continue to play with that energy and effort and continue to have your brothers’ back and trust in each other. That’s pretty much it.”

A pivotal moment from the iconic movie Remember the Titans features a tense confrontation between team captain Gerry Bertier and Julius Campbell, both standout players. Gerry criticizes Julius for having the worst attitude he’s ever encountered. Julius retaliates with a sharp and piercing remark, “Attitude reflects leadership, captain,” implying that Gerry’s lack of accountability as a leader was the root cause of the team’s problems.

Memphis will be without Jaren Jackson Jr. due to a Grade 2 ankle sprain that could have him out weeks. But the odds are in the Grizzlies’ favor with a focused Morant. 

Through 38 appearances, Morant is averaging 20.9 points, 7.4 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game. 

Make no mistake about it, Morant is still viewed as one of the NBA’s elite players, showcasing extraordinary skill and ability.

His presence on the court greatly improves the team’s performance, making them a more formidable team when he plays.

At this stage in the season, he just has to remind us who he is. Recently, Morant said his coach and teammates remind them to have positive body language, even when things are tough, which can be hard for a competitor like him.

After the overtime against the Phoenix on February 23rd, Morant disclosed that Desmond Bane’s vocal encouragement reminded him that his performance is the catalyst for the team’s energy and momentum, and urged him to simply be himself and play his natural game.

With 20 games remaining in the regular season, the Grizzlies face a critical stretch that will determine their playoff fate. To achieve a deep postseason run, as many fans relish, that leadership starts with Ja Morant. So the team needs Ja to be Ja.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Rebounding Woes Haunt Memphis in ‘The Land’

Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant during the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday, February 23, 2025. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

The stage was set for a thrilling showdown on Sunday night, and the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers and Memphis Grizzlies delivered, engaging in a back-and-forth battle that ultimately saw the Cavaliers emerge victorious, 129-123.

The Cavaliers dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Grizzlies 57-37, including a staggering 22 offensive rebounds. This significant advantage led to 31 second-chance points, with 12 of those coming in the pivotal fourth quarter. To date, Cleveland has only lost four games at home this season. 

The game saw 11 lead changes and was tied up eight times, highlighting the intense competitive nature of the matchup.

Grizzlies Coach Taylor Jenkins said that the team’s inability to limit Cleveland’s 22 offensive rebounds was a crucial factor in the loss. He noted that while Jarrett Allen had a few, it was a collective effort by the Cavaliers’ guards that hurt them. Jenkins added that he was proud of his team’s overall performance, acknowledging that they played exceptionally well in many areas against a top-ranked opponent: “Going against one of the best teams, if not the best team, in the league, and have that offensive performance. We scored 123 against the elite defense that they are.”

“You can’t give a team 31 freebies, second-chance points,” Jenkins continued. “We just didn’t have it, and that’s gonna be something we absolutely have to address. We have to own even more, because that can’t be an Achilles heel thing for us if we want to get where we want to get to.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. kept the Grizzlies in contention, pouring in a team-high 22 points in just 25 minutes of action. Foul trouble may have limited his playing time, but it couldn’t contain his fourth quarter dominance as evidenced by his 12-point outburst. Jackson Jr. also had four assists, three rebounds, two steals, and a blocked shot. 

Ja Morant turned in a strong  performance, contributing 21 points and 10 assists, although ultimately his team fell short, dropping to a 37-20 record. 

On the season, Morant is averaging 20.5 points, 7.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game. 

Luke Kennard made the most of his limited court time off the bench, delivering a productive 24-minute outing in which he scored 19 points on impressive 6-of-8 shooting from the field and 3-of-5 from three-point range.

“I think the biggest thing for us was physicality, giving up a lot of offensive rebounds,” said Kennard after the game. “When you give up that many offensive rebounds to a really good team, they’ll make you pay for it. So we know that was the game for us. But yeah, we battled. We fought to the very end, and we gave ourselves a chance, just missed a couple shots, but we could definitely learn a lot from this.”

Up Next 

The Grizzlies are set to kick off a crucial five-game homestand, with their first challenge coming against the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, February 25, at 7:00 pm CT. Memphis is 21-6 on its home floor. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Indiana Hands Grizzlies Second Straight Loss

Desmond Bane dribbles the ball in a game against the Indiana Pacers on February 20, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by: Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies stumbled in their post-All-Star break debut, falling 127-113 to the Indiana Pacers. 

Memphis dominated early, opening Thursday’s game with a 12-2 surge and leading by as many as 13 points in the first quarter. 

However, their strong start was undone by a disastrous second quarter, where they gave up a franchise-record 50 points. The deficit proved insurmountable, ultimately leading to the Grizzlies’ second straight loss. 

The Pacers surged to their largest advantage of the game, 85-59, by opening the third quarter with seven consecutive points. However, Memphis countered with a 28-6 burst to narrow the deficit to four, 91-87. Indiana regained control with a decisive 14-4 run, re-establishing a comfortable lead with 11:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with a well-rounded performance, scoring 23 points, and adding seven assists, five rebounds, and two blocks.

Jaren Jackson Jr. compiled an impressive stat line, tallying 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in a strong all-around showing. Yet, foul trouble hindered him in the final period. 

Jaylen Wells added 17 points and four rebounds as the Grizzlies fell to 36-18 on the season. 

The Grizzlies take on the Orlando Magic on the second night of a back-to-back at Kia Center on Friday, Feb. 21, at 6 p.m. CT.

Tid-bits 

Memphis signed forward Lamar Stevens to a 10-day contract. Stevens averaged 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in 19 games with the Grizzlies last season. Meanwhile, Memphis waived Johnny Davis who was acquired in a trade that sent Marcus Smart to the Washington Wizards. 

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Uncategorized

Grizzlies Beat Suns in the Valley

Ja Morant goes up for a layup in a game against the Phoenix Suns on February 11, 2025 (Photo by: Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies edged the Phoenix Suns, 119-112, in Phoenix, Tuesday night. After establishing a strong 36-26 lead in the first quarter, the Grizzlies maintained their advantage, fending off a determined Suns team that fought until the final buzzer. Memphis hasn’t lost consecutive games since January 3-4. 

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins credited his team for responding well throughout the game, starting with a strong first quarter, fueled by defense. He noted that they withstood a second-quarter run by the Suns and, despite a tough third quarter, stayed focused and composed, ultimately staying the course as the game tightened to single digits.

“Guys were collected and composed in the timeouts — went out and executed,” Jenkins stated.

He said the team’s victory was due to their ability to make crucial defensive plays and quickly shift into a high-speed offense, especially in the final quarter. He went on to praise the reserves for their role and noted that the Suns’ intense defensive pressure required a sustained effort throughout the game.

Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 26 points, adding seven rebounds and six assists. The performance marked his 19th game this season with 20 or more points.

“Great, now we are starting to realize that when we are out there, when we see guys on the opposing team out there heavy breathing, leaning over, that is when we normally realize it and try to ramp it up,” said Morant when on the luxury of having a fully healthy team.

Morant continued, “We know how we train, how we are conditioned, and it is for 48 minutes. We know it is hard for teams to withstand us pushing the pace, us picking them up full court and being real physical. We just try to wear teams down and at the end of the day go get a win.”

Desmond Bane scored 20 points, shooting 6-of-13, and also contributed 8 rebounds and 4 assists as Memphis improved to 36-17 on the season. The performance extended Bane’s streak of 20-point games to four and marked his 11th in the last 13 games.

Jaren Jackson Jr. recorded a solid all-around performance with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. Meanwhile, reserve Brandon Clarke made the most of his 19 minutes, scoring 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting and grabbing 7 rebounds.

Santi Aldama paced the Grizzlies’ bench with 14 points and 5 five rebounds in 23 minutes, shooting 5-of-10 from the field and 4-of-6 from three-point range. Aldama got off to a scorching start, going 4-of-4 from the field in the first quarter, including a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc in the opening 12 minutes.

After the game, Aldama talked about the difference with the team now compared to two months ago. He said, “More experience together — guys stepping up when guys are locked in going into the All-Star break. There’s nothing different. Just playing better and putting the ball in the hoop.”

Up Next

The Grizzlies have a Western Conference showdown against the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday night, marking their final outing before the All-Star break. The late-night matchup is set to tip off at 9:30 p.m. CT.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Close Out Raptors With Authority

Memphis Grizzlies players huddle up in a game against the Toronto Raptors on February 5, 2025. (Photo: Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies overcame a lackluster first half, trailing 59-53, with an explosive second-half performance, scoring a season-high 85 points, to dominate the Toronto Raptors, 138-107. The win extends their impressive run of 10 victories in their last 11 games and a current four-game winning streak.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the charge for the Grizzlies with 32 points on 62.5 percent shooting, complemented by five rebounds and four assists. This performance marked his third consecutive game with 30-plus points and his ninth straight game with 20-plus points, both career highs.

Ja Morant delivered a strong performance, scoring 26 points on 64.3 percent shooting, while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out four assists. He also exploded for 16 points in the third quarter, matching his season-high for points in a single quarter.

Morant and Jackson Jr. have now both scored 25-plus points in back-to-back games, highlighting their impressive offensive chemistry.

In his hometown NBA debut, Toronto native Zach Edey made history, logging a career-best third-consecutive double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Edey became the first Memphis Grizzlies rookie since Pau Gasol in 2002 to record three straight double-doubles, with Gasol having achieved four consecutive double-doubles that March and April.

GG Jackson II had an impressive outing as a reserve with 17 points and six rebounds as the Grizzlies improved to 35-16 on the season. 

Completing the team’s solid performance, Brandon Clarke scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds, with Scotty Pippen Jr. adding 12 points and five rebounds.

The Grizzlies received a boost, as their injury list shrunk, with the return of Marcus Smart and Vince Williams Jr., both of whom had been sidelined.

The Grizzlies are gearing up to face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder at FedExForum on Saturday, February 8th, at 7 p.m. CT. The highly anticipated matchup pits the top two teams in the Western Conference against each other.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Memphis Keeps Rolling; Beat Bucks for Seventh Straight Time

Jaren Jackson Jr. goes up for a shot against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 2, 2025 (Photo: Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies moved to 33-16 with a 132-119 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Sunday, securing their seventh win in eight games and a 2-0 season series sweep.

Memphis dominated the boards, outrebounding Milwaukee 61-36, with a 22-8 edge in offensive rebounds. The Grizzlies also held a significant advantage in the paint, outscoring the Bucks 66-36.

Memphis seized control of the game in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Bucks 39-20. During this decisive period, the Grizzlies made 15 of their 27 shot attempts.

All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Memphis Grizzlies with 37 points, including 16 in the final period. This performance showcased his ability as one of the league’s top fourth-quarter scorers, where he ranks ninth with an average of seven points per game.

Jackson Jr. had a solid shooting performance, making 12 of his 26 field goal attempts and seven of his 13 three-pointers.

In the absence of star guard Ja Morant due to injury, the Grizzlies received significant contributions from others as Santi Aldama scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds off the bench. Desmond Bane also had a strong outing, posting 22 points and nine rebounds while shooting 9-15 from the field.

Zach Edey nabbed his sixth career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in 18 minutes of play. Off the bench Scotty Pippen Jr. had nine points, 10 assists — eight of which came in the final frame

Although GG Jackson II didn’t have a good shooting night, he did have a highlight block against Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

Jackson II chipped in five points and eight rebounds. 

The  Grizzlies are back at FedExForum tonight, February 3rd, to take on the San Antonio Spurs at 7 p.m. CT. Memphis has a 2-0 edge in the season series.