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.
Zach Edey goes up for a hook shot on November 4, 2024 in a game against the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by: Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Memphis Grizzlies’ Monday night matchup didn’t go as planned, ending in a 106-104 defeat to the Brooklyn Nets, who secured a two-game sweep of the season-series.
The Grizzlies dominated inside, outscoring Brooklyn 66-48 in the paint, but the Nets countered with a strong outside game, hitting 13 three-pointers to Memphis’ eight.
Zach Edey had a stellar performance, scoring 25 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and blocking four shots. He made history as the first rookie since Hakeem Olajuwon (1984) to achieve 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 4+ blocks on 90% shooting.
Additionally, Edey became the first Memphis rookie since Marc Gasol (2009) to record consecutive double-doubles in points and rebounds.
Ja Morant added 25 points, nine assists and five rebounds as Memphis dropped to 4-4 on the season.
Again, Morant showcased his thrilling skills, delivering Ja-dropping plays that quickly spread across social media, solidifying his reputation as the NBA’s most electrifying player.
NBA Communications announced on X (formerly Twitter), “Ja Morant’s two acrobatic layups from last night’s Grizzlies-Nets game have generated 161M video views (and counting) across NBA social media. Each play stands out as the most-viewed video on NBA platforms this season.”
99.99999999% of people will never make 1 play like this.
Jaren Jackson Jr. struggled from the field at times but made plays on both sides of the ball late that put Memphis in a position to possibly win the game.
An INSANE step-back 3 to take and make from Jaren. He's showing his clutch gene, which will be massive in close games for the Grizzlies alongside Ja pic.twitter.com/h58gZbPV6H
Santi Aldama #7, Ja Morant #12, and Jaylen Wells #0 of the Memphis Grizzlies high-five during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 31, 2024. (Photo: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
With a 122–99 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday inside FedExForum, the Memphis Grizzlies completed their four-game homestand on a high note.
The Grizzlies showed a lot of grit and perseverance against Milwaukee after a lackluster showing against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night.
Ja Morant delivered an electrifying performance by unleashing his trademark WTF-inducing plays.
The Murray State standout reaffirmed his superstar status as he put on a masterclass against the Bucks with 26 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds. He messed around and got his 12 career triple-double and, like Ice Cube, I can hear him say, “Today was a good day.”
With his 20+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 9+ assists stats at halftime, Morant joined just five other players since the 1996–97 season. Over the course of the team’s back-to-back games, Morant racked up 40 points, 18 boards, and 25 assists. This season, Morant has played in five games and recorded four double-doubles.
“Just staying aggressive, playing free, being Ja [Morant],” stated the two-time All-Star on his playmaking as the Grizzlies improved to 3-3 on the season.
“Nah, I play free — with me, you’re going to deal with turnovers,” Morant said on taking care of the ball. “I tried to throw a lob off the glass — if Zach [Edey] catches it, it’s not a turnover. Even if it is, I don’t care. It’s the right play. Me and him do it in practice all the time. I’m just going to play free and always try to make the right play.”
He continued, “Me and him do it at practice and in 5-on-0. So yeah, I’m just going to play free. I’m always trying to make the right play. It’s not like I’m going down trying to turn the ball over. So, some of them, you just have to deal with. Obviously, you can clean some of them up, but hey, a lot of stuff comes with Ja.”
Regarding the team’s priorities in terms of player rotation and the significance of keeping him or Jaren Jackson Jr. on the court throughout the game, Morant explained, “I feel like those guys look up to us, and we’re pretty much the engine to the team.
“So, seeing one of us out there on the floor is a good thing, but I don’t think they lack confidence if we’re not. Obviously, we want to instill confidence no matter what and play the same way no matter who’s out there on the floor. Tonight, we had that — one of us on the floor, and I guess it worked.”
Yes, it did work! For Morant, statistics, honors, and recognition mean nothing until they lead to wins for his team.
Key Takeaways:
Dominant Rebounding: Memphis outrebounded Milwaukee 56-38, with a 49-29 defensive glass advantage.
Decisive Run: 19-1 run in the first quarter, including 14 straight points.
Series Dominance: Memphis wins sixth straight against Bucks, averaging 20.8-point margin.
Historic Streak: Longest winning streak in head-to-head series for Memphis.
Defensive Milestone: Memphis holds opponent under 100 points for first time this season.
Balanced Offense: All five Memphis starters score in double figures, combining for 84 points.
First Career Start: Rookie Jaylen Wells finished with 16 points and grabbed seven boards in his. Plus played dogged defense on Damian Lillard.
Up Next:
Kicking off a two-game road trip, the Memphis Grizzlies will face the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, November 2nd, at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams (1) shoots the ball as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13), John Konchar (46) and Ja Morant (12) attempt to block the shot during the first half at FedExForum on October 30, 2024 (Wes Hale Photo)
The Memphis Grizzlies dropped to 2-3 on the season, falling 119-106 at home to the Brooklyn Nets. Injury woes continued, as starters Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane exited the game with ankle issues.
Despite favorable expectations, Memphis underperformed, hindered by careless ball handling which led to 22 turnovers that Brooklyn capitalized on for 31 points.
The Grizzlies’ quest for a faster tempo remains elusive, marred by sloppy execution and costly mistakes.
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins expressed disappointment in the Grizzlies’ defensive performance, and praised the Nets offense. He admitted his team failed to execute their planned strategy and took responsibility for not adequately preparing them.
“We just have to fill our cup,” Jenkins said, on dealing with injuries. “Tomorrow, [we play] a great [Milwaukee] Bucks team, and they’re going to be hungry for a win. We’re hungry for a win. It’s going to be two teams battling.”
He continued, “We have to bring a better effort tomorrow, and whoever’s available to play has to go out there and compete even better than we’ve done the last two games. The guys are feeling it. They know it’s unacceptable.”
“We [the coaches] have to find a way to be included,” Jenkins concluded. “I have to lead better —I have to prepare them better. Our guys have to go out and play better, so it all comes down to responsibility. We’ll just take it day by day. I don’t know where we’re going to stand tomorrow, but once we get through, we know we’ve still got depth that can go out there and can be better [than] before.”
Jaren Jackson Jr. poured in a season-high 30 points, shooting 83% from the field (10-12) and perfect from three (3-3), with 7-10 from the free throw line, his 23rd career 30-point game.
Ja Morant posted 14 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists, securing his 64th career double-double and second of the season, despite shooting 5-16 from the field and 1-6 from three.
Zach Edey tied his career high and Brandon Clarke set a season high, each scoring 13 points. Edey went 6-9 from the field and 1-2 from the line, while Clarke shot a perfect 5-5 from the field and 3-3 from the free throw line.
No Time to Panic
Although disappointing, it’s only 5 games out of 82. As Jackson Jr. said last night, “Can’t panic. Soldiers don’t panic. Should never panic. Panic just makes it worse, makes anything worse. You just stay calm and work on what you have to do — work on your craft.”
Up Next
The Grizzlies’ four-game home stand comes to a close on Thursday, October 31, with a showdown against the Milwaukee Bucks at 7 PM CST.
Ja Morant goes to the basket against the Houston Rockets on October 25, 2024.
(Photo by Logan Riely/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Houston Rockets bounced back from a 12-point deficit to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies, 128-108, at Toyota Center on Friday night. After trailing in the first half, the Rockets rallied in the second, sparked by a decisive 17-0 run midway through the third quarter. The surge propelled them to a dominating 39-18 third-quarter performance, turning the game around.
The Rockets outscored the Grizzlies 69-43 in the second half, capitalizing on significant rebounding and defensive advantages. Houston outrebounded Memphis 64-43, including 23-14 on the offensive glass. The Rockets also converted turnovers into points more effectively, scoring 29-13 in points off turnovers and 27-17 in second-chance points.
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins pinpointed defense and rebounding as key areas of struggle for his team. “We couldn’t get a stop… they were shooting under 40% and we still couldn’t grab a rebound,” Jenkins said. The team’s inability to defend and rebound allowed Houston to apply relentless pressure, disrupting the Grizzlies’ offense.
Despite generating decent shot opportunities, Jenkins noted that his team relied too heavily on floaters and committed too many turnovers. He also credited the Rockets’ physicality, which exposed the Grizzlies’ rebounding vulnerability and prevented them from sustaining their strong first-half performance.
Ja Morant continues to do Ja Morant things this season, leading Memphis with 24 points, shooting 8-for-17 from the field. Desmond Bane added 17 points, while rookie Zach Edey and new signee Scotty Pippen Jr. each chipped in 13 points.
It’s worth noting that Edey had a bit of a rough start to his NBA career, fouling out in just 15 minutes in the season opener against the Utah Jazz, but still managed to snag five points and five rebounds.
After the game, Morant highlighted the importance of setting the tone early in games and at the start of the second half as the point guard. He acknowledged that his team’s offense became stagnant after he coasted up the court, leading to ineffective ball movement and allowing the defense to settle into position. Specifically, the two-time All-Star pointed out that relying on ball screens, although effective, wasn’t enough when the ball wasn’t moving and teammates were stationary.
To improve, Morant emphasized his need to dictate the pace and style of play from the outset, recognizing that his role as point guard allows him to control the tempo. By doing so, he aims to create a more fluid and dynamic offense that challenges defenses and leads to better scoring opportunities.
Simply put, Morant appears to be taking ownership of his team’s performance, acknowledging areas for personal growth and striving to elevate his game to drive success.
The Grizzlies’ next game is Saturday night against the Orlando Magic at 7:00 p.m. at FedExForum for the home opener. Jaren Jackson Jr. is likely to make his season debut, after being sidelined with a hamstring strain.
Memphis Grizzlies against the Charlotte Hornets at FedExForum on October 10, 2024.(Photo: Wes Hale)
The Memphis Grizzlies are back in action, but their preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets didn’t quite go as planned, with a 119-94 loss. Missing key players like Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke, Vince Williams Jr., and GG Jackson II made it tough to gauge the team’s performance.
As I was sitting in the FedExForum talking to another reporter, I said the game looked eerily similar to the previous regular season games which included key rotation players missing from action.
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins acknowledged the challenges, saying the team lacked pace and key ingredients, but he’s optimistic about the progress.
He said, “I definitely think sometimes we’re missing some key ingredients, for sure, which makes it a little bit tougher. … We didn’t have our pop for sure. We weren’t playing at the pace that we needed to [and] guys that have been training hard just kind of fell flat today. You could see that early in the first quarter. We weren’t getting in the paint as much as we could. Obviously, we were taking the ball out of the net.”
Jenkins continued, “I told these guys on nights like this where we don’t have our pace, we can still control the defensive activity. We turned it up in the third quarter, but obviously the Hornets had a heck of a night. But I’m liking what I’m seeing from all these guys. The movement’s been there. We’ve got to initiate some advantages a little bit differently. That’s stuff that we’ll just continue to add. But stressing the movement, the pace, we just fell a little bit flat.”
Rookies Zach Edey and Jaylen Wells are getting valuable NBA minutes, which will aid their development.
The good news is that Morant, Jackson Jr., and Clarke are expected back for the season opener, while Williams and Jackson II will take a bit longer to recover.
Overall Memphis is focusing on player development and preseason preparation despite injuries. Again, it’s preseason, so no need to panic. The Grizzlies will regroup and refocus for their next game.
Up next: Grizzlies face the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, 7 p.m. tipoff.
GG Jackson #45 of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball up the court during the first half against the Denver Nuggets at FedExForum on April 14, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Wes Hale)
In the last game of the season at FedExForum, the Denver Nuggets beat the Memphis Grizzlies, 126-111.
The Nuggets held the Grizzlies to just two points through the first five minutes of the third period and broke the game open to take a 19-point lead going into the final frame.
No one expected the Grizzlies to wen the game with 13 injured players and Denver starting some future Hall of Famers. The Nuggets swept the season series, 4-0.
Denver finished the regular season with a 57-25 record and clinched the No. 2 seed in the NBA Playoffs. The Grizzlies were 27-55 overall and 9-32 at home.
The Grizzlies set NBA season records by using 33 different players and 51 different starting lineups.
GG Jackson II led the Grizzlies with a career-high 44 points and 12 rebounds to secure his second double-double of the season. At 19 years old, Jackson II became the youngest player in NBA history to score at least 44 points in a game. The rookie’s performance was a welcome relief from a season plagued by injuries.
“I think what he’s been doing on the court is an absolute reflection of what he’s been doing off the court,” said Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins on the rookie’s development. “GG has been unbelievable since day one when he came in as a wide-eyed rookie, which he still is — a wide-eyed rookie. But coming in, trying to figure out his routine, what are the habits he’s got to develop to be a consistent pro. I think his work ethic has been phenomenal every single day. I’ve said it all throughout the season, how he learns within the game, tries to not repeat the same mistake. He’s got this care factor.”
“There will be times where I don’t have to be ball-dominant, and I can just knock down shots and stuff,” Jackson, II said. “Then, there’s other times when I catch fire that I can still affect the game defensively. This is going to be huge for me to serve. We’ve been working on a lot, and I started to notice, but it took the last game for me to notice. All of our lifts are lower body based, and, in my mind, I was like, ‘They’re trying to build the foundation before they build on top.’”
“I’m really comfortable in a sense, with Coach [Jenkins] trusting me and my teammates having my back,” said the South Carolina native. “There will be times where I’m frustrated and I’m like, ‘You should’ve hit me on that one.’ And I come to the bench, and I don’t want to be that guy. I got a bad rap for doing that in college. Even in high school, someone told me they didn’t like me because I had that kind of attitude and stuff. So, that was huge for me to keep that toned down. That behavior doesn’t really lead to a great performance.”
Jake LaRavia added 29 points, five rebounds, and four assists in his third straight game with 25+ points. LaRavia has averaged 29.7 points per game over the last three games, including a career-high 32 points April 10 at Cleveland.
“That was my biggest goal coming back from All-Star break, after I had that little ankle injury, just playing through whatever I had, trying to play as many games as I could, trying to stay healthy,”LaRavia on his play after injury.
“I think I did a really good job of that. I ended up missing those two games, but I think for the most part, I did a good job of staying healthy and playing through. … When you talked about confidence, I think I’m a very confident player, regardless. It might be showing more because I’m in a higher role right now, but this was my goal, to get as much momentum as I could going into next season.”
Strictly for the fans
Jenkins’ closing message to the fans:
“I also just wanted to shout out our fans. They’ve been phenomenal. I know this was probably a difficult season, but the love our fans have for us, I could feel it all season long. I could feel it the last couple days. We’re going to miss them tremendously over the next couple of months. There’s nothing like coming here to work and compete at the FedExForum with our great fans. And hopefully, we’re going to put the work in behind the scenes to come out and set a great tone, come October 2024, for the next campaign. So, I want to just thank all of our fans, thank all of you all for your commitment throughout the season.”
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - MARCH 27: Grizz, mascot of the Memphis Grizzlies during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at FedExForum on March 27, 2024 in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Wes Hale)
The Memphis Grizzlies played and lost their last away game of the season Wednesday at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, where they were defeated by the Cleveland Cavaliers, 110-98. The Grizzlies dropped their third consecutive game and the Cavaliers ended a three-game losing streak.
The Grizzlies fell to 27-53 with two games remaining in the season, while Cleveland improved to 47-33, with postseason aspirations.
Memphis held a 51-48 advantage in the first half, then the Cavs woke up, outscoring the undermanned Grizzlies 30-16 in the third quarter to go up 78-67 entering the fourth.
With only eight players dressed, there were only three players available for the Grizzlies off the bench. They were outscored 29-6 by the Cavs reserves.
Memphis finished 18-23 on the road, slightly better than last season’s 16-25. By comparison, the team has a record of 9-30 at FedExForum, with two games remaining. Last season the franchise had one of the best home records in the association at 35-6.
The Grizzlies were paced by forward Jake LaRavia, who scored a career-high 32 points, with 21 of those coming in a blazing first half.
— Bally Sports: Grizzlies (@GrizzOnBally) April 11, 2024
LaRavia went 8-11 from the three-point line, while grabbing seven rebounds, adding two steals and a block.
Rookie sensation GG Jackson II finished with 22 points, two rebounds and two assists. For the season, Jackson II is averaging 13.6 points and four rebounds.
Scotty Pippen Jr. added 18 points on 46.7 percent shooting, with six assists and four rebounds.
Former Cavalier Lamar Stevens ended with 16 points, six rebounds and four blocked shots. The Grizzlies picked up Stevens in a deal that sent Xavier Tillman, Sr. to Boston before the trade deadline.
Up Next
The Grizzlies will host the Los Angeles Lakers, who are still hunting for postseason position, on Friday night, April 12th at 7pm CT.
Marc Gasol reacts during the Marc Gasol jersey retirement on April 6, 2024 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Wes Hale)
It wasn’t the basketball game that drew over 17,000 spectators to the FedExForum on Saturday and caused all the excitement. The extremely short-handed Memphis Grizzlies lost to the Philadelphia 76ers, 116-96.
The reason the fans were there was for a more joyous occasion as the franchise retired Marc Gasol’s No. 33 jersey. Just two players in team history have had their jersey numbers retired: Zach Randolph on December 11, 2021, and Gasol, who now joins him.
Marc Gasol’s jersey is risen during the Marc Gasol jersey retirement on April 6, 2024 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Wes Hale)
As the lights went out inside the arena, the music blared, DJ Paul of Three Six Mafia began rapping, “Now ever since I can remember, I’ve been poppin’ my collar. Poppin’-poppin’ my collar, poppin’-poppin’ my collar,” and there stood the “Core Four” together again in one place for the first time since the spring of 2017: Gasol, Randolph, Tony Allen, and Mike Conley. They were met with a standing ovation.
When it came to doing things the right way as a team, Gasol wasn’t really concerned about individual accolades. Appropriately, he chose to share the night alongside the three men who had been instrumental in his — and the franchise’s — greatest success. These men spent seven seasons together, won the very first playoff game in franchise history in 2011, and went on to make it to the 2013 Western Conference finals.
Gasol thanked his Memphis coaches and teammates, with his family by his side. The All-Star big man also thanked the fans and the city of Memphis for their unwavering support throughout his stay in the Bluff City.
Marc Gasol and his family look on during the Marc Gasol jersey retirement on April 6, 2024 at FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. (Photo by Wes Hale)
His brother (and former Grizzlies star) Pau Gasol spoke to the media prior to the game: “I am very proud of what we’ve be able to accomplish, and what Marc has been able to accomplish, and how he came here as a 16-year old, had to leave school and everything back home, to the kind of follow the big brother’s dream and just brought about what he has been able to do.”
Hall of Famer, Pau Gasol speaking to the media prior to the jersey retirement ceremony (Photo by: Sharon Brown)
The two-time NBA champion continued: “How we approach everything is his character, his determination, the mark he left, the legacy, what he was able to do here and throughout his career, representing the city of Memphis the way he did for so many years with all those guys, Mike [Conley] Zach [Randolph] Tony [Allen] and many others. Tonight is a special night for our family that brings back a lot of memories.”
A host of former Grizzlies were in attendance, including Mike Miller, Rudy Gay, Quincy Pondexter, Beno Udrih, Darrell Arthur, Jon Leuer and Tayshaun Prince. Former Grizzlies head coach Dave Joerger was also there, and former Grizzly Kyle Lowry, who stayed after the game.
Fellow Spaniard, and Grizzlies forward, Santi Aldama, spoke about the Gasol brothers: “I think since day one, obviously making it to the NBA is a child’s dream,” Aldama said. “But getting drafted by Memphis and being here and seeing what [the Gasols] have done for the franchise and the city has been awesome. Just being able to talk to them and kind of see their life here and now me kind of experiencing that is incredible.”
Elizabeth Smith has been a season ticket holder since 2011. “Marc Gasol isn’t just a player who played for my favorite basketball team; he is an integral part of the fabric of the city of Memphis and the Grizzlies,” Smith said. “Marc’s impact on the court speaks for itself, but it’s more than just his basketball accomplishments that make him special. He was the center of the Grizzlies for over a decade in more ways than the obvious.”
“Big Spain embodies everything I love about the Grizzlies and what I expect from my favorite team: a passion for the game, a heart for the community, and a refusal to accept defeat without fighting til the bitter end. Marc, along with TA, ZBo, and Mike, were the catalysts for my casual appreciation for basketball evolving into a deep love of the game. I have said many times that those four will forever be my favorites. That wouldn’t be possible without Marc, one of the cornerstones of that era of Grizzlies basketball, for fans like me.”
“My favorite moment of the night that brought tears to my eyes was the showing of his Toronto championship ring that had “GRIT N GRIND” engraved in it,” said longtime fan Sheri Dunlap Hensley.
“We were able to celebrate with the Gasols after the ceremony,” Hensley explained. “It was nice speaking with his parents. I asked them when they would be traveling back home and I said “I am sure you are ready to get back home.” His mom said “Oh no! We love Memphis! The city embraced us and Memphis put smiles on my son’s faces!” She went on about how thankful she will forever be to Memphis and the fans.”
Hensley even had a chance to reminisce with Gasol, himself.
Sheri Hensley chatting with Marc Gasol.
Adrian Shavers has been a Grizzlies season ticket holder for a long time. The night was very special for him. Shavers said, “It was awesome — felt like a family reunion. It felt really good seeing and chatting with old friends. One thing about our players, they love us fans and remember us. It was a real family feel, and that’s what I felt that night.”
Grizzlies fan Adrian Shavers posing in front Gasol’s banner. (Photo by: Adrian Shavers)
One of the most talented players to ever suit up for Memphis, Marc Gasol’s legacy is now sealed with his jersey hanging from the rafters. It has been a pleasure, Big Spain. GNG Forever.
Maozinha Pereira drives to the basket against the Detroit Pistons on Friday, April 5, 2024 at FedExForum (Photo by: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
At FedExForum on Friday night, the Memphis Grizzlies (27-50) dominated in a 108-90 victory over the Detroit Pistons (13-64). The Grizzlies won the season series 3-0.
Memphis is now on a three-game winning streak. That hasn’t happened since January 22–26.
There were a whopping 12 players for Memphis on the injury list, leaving only eight who could play. Only three of those players available were on standard contracts; the other five were either on two-way deals or 10-day contracts.
Scotty Pippen Jr., Jordan Goodwin, GG Jackson II, Jake LaRavia, and Trey Jemison got the start for Memphis. Lamar Stevens, Maozinha Pereira, and Zavier Simpson came off the bench.
Seven of the eight Grizzlies players available scored in double digits, including all five starters. The last time all five starters scored in double figures was October 27, 2023.
“Just their effort overall — I thought the ball was moving really well,” said Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins on what impressed him about the game. “The conversations throughout the game. … The guys were like, ‘Keep sharing it, keep running, keep finding the open teammate, keep touching the paint’. Some of those made buckets were unassisted because we were able to get right downhill and finish at the rim.”
Jenkins continued, “So, I thought the ball movement set that up. Defensive effort. We knew the paint was a big priority tonight. Transition defense was a big priority. We did a great job limiting to under 40 points in the paint against a team like this that thrives on getting downhill. I thought our on-ball defense was good; our guards. Jaden [Ivey] had a heck of a game scoring and shooting the three. Limiting their paint points and second-chance points was a big factor. Our guys came up with a good effort there.”
For Memphis, Jemison and Pereira tied for leading scorer with 17 points apiece. Jemison recorded the first double-double of his career with 13 rebounds, a career high. Coming off the bench, Pereira not only scored a career-high in points but also grabbed a career-high nine rebounds.
.@TallT_23 with that double-double😤 17 points + 13 boards
he is your player of the game presented by @IntlPaperCo
“I’m just glad I had the opportunity to be here for 10 days, and now 20 days,” Pereira said after the game. “I’m building the trust of my coach, and the assistant coaches. My teammates believe in me and have given me confidence. It was very easy to show what I’ve got because of them. I blame it all on them.”
He compared his time with the Lakers to now with the Grizzlies: “It’s been way different. Last year, I pretty much spent my whole time in the G League, except garbage time in games I played. It’s kind of like my rookie year. It’s my first-time getting NBA minutes. I would say it’s night and day, being over here.”
“I would say just the speed of the game (is) slowing down for me,” said Pippen on his personal growth. I’m still trying to get comfortable. Like I said, it’s my rookie year, so I’m still making reads and stuff like that but trying to adjust to the whole game and get a feel for it.”
To close it out, GG Jackson II and Lamar Stevens each added 15 points. Goodwin chipped in 14 points, six assists, and six rebounds while LaRavia ended with 12 points and five rebounds.
Although Simpson didn’t score in double digits, his presence on the floor helped Memphis in ways that went beyond the box score.
Up Next
On the second night of back-to-back games, the Grizzlies will host the Philadelphia 76ers at 7 p.m. CT on Saturday, April 6th. Following the game, there will be a ceremony to retire Marc Gasol’s number 33 jersey. Bally Sports Southeast will air the game as well as the jersey retirement ceremony. Gasol played 11 seasons with the Grizzlies (2008-19) and helped guide the franchise to seven straight playoff appearances, including the franchise’s first postseason victory in 2011 (as a No. 8 seed against the No. 1 seed San Antonio Spurs and a trip to the Western Conference Finals in 2013. He was a three-time All-Star, was named the 2012-13 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, and selected to the 2014-15 All-NBA First Team.
Jaren Jackson Jr. dribbles the ball against Giannis Antetokounmpo as the Grizzlies faced off against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. (Photo by Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)
On the road in Milwaukee, the Grizzlies topped the Bucks, 111-101, Wednesday night. The Grizzlies have won five in a row over the Bucks, and they also swept the season series.
Milwaukee made 18 three-pointers, while the Grizzlies made just seven. That is generally not a recipe for a win. However, Memphis dominated in the paint, outscoring the Bucks 76-36 and shot 50.5% from the field.
It was the JJJ show in Milwaukee. Jaren Jackson Jr. was by far the best player on the floor Wednesday night. In the final minute of the game, Jackson Jr. gave Memphis a 10-point advantage with a baseline fadeaway 3-pointer over two defenders.
Jackson Jr. scored a game-high 35 points on 14-for-26 shooting, along with four assists and three steals.
“I was taking what the defense gives me,” the 24-year-old said after the game. “I’ve been working on my game a lot and I was glad to get the opportunity to get out there and show it a little bit.”
Rookie GG Jackson II finished with 15 points and a career-high 12 rebounds for his first career double-double.
Jackson II has been on fire ever since he was moved to the starting lineup, with respectable stats overall and 10 straight starts in which he scored 10 or more.
Brandon Clarke keeps impressing. in just his fourth game of the season as he makes his way back from an Achilles injury suffered in March 2023. He finished with 14 points off of 7-for-10 shooting, and added seven rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.
“It means a lot; everybody here wants to win. We don’t really want to lose,” said Clarke about Memphis winning two in a row, after the struggles the team has faced. “I think it’s about pride, really. It’s about just finding ways to win for next year too; finding ways to get better even when you know it’s tough in the season.”
With 13 points, 12 boards, and seven assists, bench player Jordan Goodwin nearly recorded a triple-double. He has grabbed 10 or more rebounds in each of his last three games.
