Category: Sports

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Fall Short Against Clippers

Jaren Jackson Jr. handles the ball against James Harden of the Los Angeles Clippers. (Credit: NBAE/Getty Images.)

In the third game of a five-game road trip, the Memphis Grizzlies lost to the Los Angeles Clippers Friday Night, 128-108.

It’s the Grizzlies’ third loss in a row and their third loss to the Clippers this season, with Los Angeles sweeping the season series.

The Grizzlies are playing their worst basketball of the season at the worst possible time. They are hanging on in a stacked Western Conference as the fifth seed, with the Warriors one and a half games behind them as the sixth seed and the Lakers and the Nuggets one game ahead of them as the third and fourth seeds.

Ja Morant was sidelined for the fourth game in a row. Scotty Pippen Jr. took over the starting point guard role in his absence.

It is concerning that Morant was listed as out due to a left hamstring strain when two games back he was listed as being out due to right shoulder soreness.

Even more concerning is the medical update on Brandon Clarke, which was just released by the Grizzlies front office.

Per Grizzlies PR:

Brandon Clarke has been diagnosed with a high-grade PCL sprain in his right knee, which he sustained during a fall to the floor in the first quarter of the Grizzlies’ game against the Portland Trail Blazers on March 19.

Clarke is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 season, and further updates will be provided after a treatment plan and timeline are set.

This is bad news for Memphis.

As for this game, despite being shorthanded, the Grizzlies got off to a strong start in the first half, outscoreing the Clippers 66-60 through the first two quarters. The game broke an ongoing season trend for Memphis — they are now 29-6 when they lead at halftime.

It was the third quarter where everything fell apart for Memphis, with Los Angeles outscoring them 36-16 in the period and sealing their fate. The Clippers used the fourth quarter to push the lead to 20, their largest lead of the game.

This game was an aberration of sorts, with the Grizzlies outperforming their opponent in an area they typically struggle in. Turnovers have cost them multiple games this season, but in this matchup, they only gave up 10 points off 10 turnovers, and they picked up 30 points off 15 turnovers by the Clippers.

The Clippers had twice as many free-throw attempts as the Grizzlies, 26 to 13, easily outscoring Memphis 21-9 from the free-throw line.

James Harden led all scorers with 30 points on 8 of 14 overall shooting, 5 of 10 from beyond the arc, and 9 of 10 from the free throw line. Harden was responsible for most of the disparity in free throws.

With only 11 games left in the regular season, it is do-or-die time for this Memphis Grizzlies team, and they may not have enough left in the tank to avoid a first-round exit in the postseason, provided they make it there.

By The Numbers:

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 23 points on 9 of 24 overall shooting and 3 of 9 from beyond the arc, adding 10 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Santi Aldama scored 16 points on 5 of 11 overall shooting and 3 of 8 from three-point range, to go with 5 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal.

Scotty Pippen Jr. finished with 15 points on 6 of 9 overall shooting and 3 of 4 from beyond the arc, and added 3 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.

Desmond Bane added 10 points on 3 of 7 overall shooting and 2 of 5 from three-point range, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal.

Luke Kennard led the bench with 15 points on 6 of 9 overall shooting and 3 of 5 from beyond the arc, with 2 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals.

Jay Huff added 13 points on 5 of 7 overall shooting and 3 of 5 from three-point range, and 1 rebound.

Who Got Next?

The Grizzlies will face the Utah Jazz in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, March 25th, giving them a few much-needed rest days. Tip-off is at 8 PM CDT.

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From My Seat Sports

Cardinals Visit Redbirds’ Nest

Masyn Winn (photo by Billy Hurst/St. Louis Cardinals)

What a strange offseason it was for the St. Louis Cardinals. Following a mediocre 2024 season (83-79), the Memphis Redbirds’ parent club announced a new day had arrived, one in which development will be emphasized over spending for the big-league roster. One superstar was allowed to leave as a free agent (first-baseman Paul Goldschmidt is now a New York Yankee) and the Cardinals tried to trade another (third-baseman Nolan Arenado exercised his contract’s no-trade clause at least once and remains a member of the team). The most significant addition St. Louis made is the signing of relief pitcher Phil Maton in mid-March. Busch Stadium ticket sales did not spike.

Perhaps most strange was the announcement that Chaim Bloom will succeed John Mozeliak as the Cardinals’ president of baseball operations … but not until after the 2025 season. So the man many consider responsible for a two-year postseason drought (Mozeliak) is calling the shots while Bloom is the most interested observer in three counties. Rob Cerfolio (formerly with the Cleveland Guardians) is now in charge of player development for St. Louis and Larry Day (also a former Guardian administrator) is the franchise’s new farm director.

Some change, but lots of the same. The 2025 Cardinals will be at AutoZone Park Monday for an exhibition game against the Redbirds, the first such “Battle of the Birds” since 2019, a year when catcher Yadier Molina was still the Face of the Franchise for St. Louis, one that ended in a trip to the National League Championship Series for the Cardinals. Alas, the Cardinals have won precisely one postseason game since 2020 and Molina retired after the 2022 campaign.

Many of the Cardinals we’ll see play in Downtown Memphis have been here before as Redbirds on their way up. Alec Burleson won an International League batting title in 2022. A pair of IL home run titles seem to have finally earned first-baseman Luken Baker a promotion.  Nolan Gorman, Ivan Herrera, Brendan Donovan, and Lars Nootbaar will all see regular at-bats for St. Louis this season, and all cut their teeth at AutoZone Park. Shortstop Masyn Winn set a Redbirds record for runs scored (99) in 2023 before leading the Cardinals in WAR and becoming a finalist for a Gold Glove as a rookie in 2024.

On the Redbirds’ side of things, Ben Johnson is back for his sixth season as manager and will surpass Chris Maloney for most career wins with the franchise when Memphis earns its 20th victory. Quinn Mathews — Baseball America’s 2024 Minor League Pitcher of the Year — should anchor the Redbirds’ pitching rotation and his battery mate is likely to be Jimmy Crooks, the 2024 Texas League MVP. Now a member of the Cardinals’ 40-man roster, outfielder Matt Koperniak is eager for his big-league debut after being named an International League All-Star following a 2024 season that saw him hit .309 for Memphis.

This will be season number 25 for AutoZone Park (remember the 2020 minor-league season was canceled for pandemic reasons). Once the gold standard for ballparks below the majors, the facility is showing some wear and Redbirds president Craig Unger has leaned on the City of Memphis to fund significant improvements. AutoZone Park was left out of the infusion of state funds for renovations to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium and FedExForum. To date, the ballpark is awaiting a financial booster. (Questions about funding plans for the stadium were not answered by the City of Memphis.)

Come Monday night, it will be about baseball on the field. This is the ninth season St. Louis has opened with an exhibition game at AutoZone Park. Among the previous eight, six ended with the Cardinals in the playoffs. Opening Day for the Cardinals comes Thursday when they host the Minnesota Twins. The Redbirds’ regular season begins Friday in Louisville, with the home opener April 1st against the Buffalo Bisons.

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News News Feature Sports Sports Feature Tiger Blue

Memphis Flyer Podcast March 20, 2025: The Memphis Tigers Return to March Madness

Memphis Tigers coach Penny Hardaway

Memphis Flyer sportswriter Frank Murtaugh talks with Chris McCoy about the Memphis Tigers’ long-awaited return to the NCAA basketball tournament. Murtaugh knows everything, McCoy knows nothing. Plus, the single worst bracket in March Madness history! Can you do better?

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Cover Feature News Sports

Madness!

AAC Player of the Year PJ Haggerty (Photos: Wes Hale)

The Memphis Tigers are back in the NCAA tournament. This is progress. Even better would be a pair of wins and the program’s first trip to the Sweet 16 in well over a decade. But let’s think ambitiously. With six wins needed to cut down the nets as national champion, here are six factors that could make this March memorable for Memphis.

Forget history, especially the previous six seasons. With the exception of forward Nicholas Jourdain, Penny Hardaway’s first six years as Tiger coach mean absolutely nothing to the current roster. The Wiseman Affair. The Lost Postseason of 2020. The Missed Timeout against FAU in the 2023 NCAA tournament. And (blech) the Nosedive of 2024. Sure, this is Tiger basketball history, but it cannot so much as enter the brainwaves of the last man on the Memphis bench.

In his seventh season at the helm, Penny Hardaway led the Tigers to a 16-2 league record and earned AAC Coach of the Year honors.

Following the Tigers’ season-opening win over Missouri way back in November, PJ Haggerty (new to the program from Tulsa) emphasized the good chemistry he felt with his new teammates, actually emphasizing “no beef,” no tension between players just establishing their roles. Guard Tyrese Hunter (new to the program from Texas and this season a first-team All-AAC selection) said this Memphis team has “no ego,” that he and his teammates have “blinders on” for a shared mission.

Point guard Tyrese Hunter suffered an injury to his left foot in the AAC semifinals. His status for the NCAA tournament is unclear.

Read between those lines and you recognize the after-effects of a 2023-24 season where egos were indeed a variable, where a beef or two seemed to compromise any mission, let alone that of a deep NCAA tournament run. Three weeks after that opening win, the Tigers beat both Connecticut (the two-time defending national champions) and Michigan State in Maui to more than clean the slate for a new team, a new campaign. The slogan for the 2024-25 Memphis Tigers should be … This is now. What can today bring?

When asked about his current team and a strength that can help it succeed in tournament play, the 2025 AAC Coach of the Year doesn’t hesitate: “Our unity. We all have the same goal. It hasn’t been that way around here in past years. It’s been kind of selfish. Some people have been so good, they felt they could do it on their own. With this group, our biggest attribute is our unity. We’re together as one.”

Stars must star. While the players must keep those blinders on, we can turn to history for some guidance in what to expect when the Madness tips off. And every Final Four run the Memphis Tigers have made has featured a Leading Man: Larry Finch in 1973, Keith Lee in 1985, and Chris Douglas-Roberts or Derrick Rose (take your pick) in 2008. A sophomore sensation by the name of Hardaway took the Tigers to the Elite Eight in 1992. You get the idea.

PJ Haggerty is this team’s alpha, and he will need to seize that role — maybe even inflate it — for the Tigers to reach the Sweet 16 for the first time in 16 years. The AAC Player of the Year is already just the seventh Memphis player to score 700 points in a season. (He needs 22 to break Dajuan Wagner’s program record of 762.) Haggerty scored 13 points in six minutes to fuel a second-half comeback at UAB on March 2nd that essentially clinched the AAC title for the Tigers. He poured in 42 in the AAC tournament quarterfinals, a win over Wichita State in which his teammates combined to score 41.

“He’s a dreamer,” says Hardaway. “He sat home and watched the NCAA tournament when he was young, like we all have. To have this situation now — ranked the number-one shooting guard in the country, conference player of the year — he’s still dreaming. He may have hoped for all this to happen, but now that it’s actually here, he’s excited.”

Dainja! Dainja!! FedExForum announcer Geoff Mack found his muse with the arrival of Dain Dainja. The Tigers’ big man with soft hands (a transfer from Illinois) has often raised the arena’s energy level with a gentle hook shot or follow-up slam. And when that energy peaks, Mack will bellow into his microphone, “DAINJA! … DAINJA!!” It’s the happiest reaction to something, yes, dangerous we’ll witness near a basketball court.

Dain Dainja tops the Tigers in rebounding and earned first-team All-AAC recognition.

Hardaway inserted Dainja into the Tigers’ starting lineup for their showdown with UAB on January 26th, a game that would determine first place in the American Athletic Conference. Dainja hit 10 of 12 shots and pulled down eight rebounds in only 25 minutes of what proved to be an easy (100-77) Memphis victory. Memphis has only lost one game since. 

How critical is Dainja to a deep run for the Tigers? He and Moussa Cisse are the only “bigs” Hardaway has in his rotation, the closest players — in body and style — to an old-fashioned center. They will be needed to protect the rim on the defensive side and provide interior threats (particularly Dainja) when the Tigers have the ball. Pay attention to fouls for either of these players. And expect Hardaway to leave them on the floor even if they accumulate four. “Going small” might be a strategy, but not when it’s forced.

Dainja vanished in a game at Wichita State on February 16th (four points and a single rebound in 20 minutes of playing time), and the Tigers lost in overtime to a very beatable Shockers team. A week later at FedExForum, Dainja (Dainja!) scored 22 points, pulled down 11 rebounds, and blocked four shots in a 19-point victory over FAU. “It shows me that he cares,” said Hardaway after Dainja’s resurrection against the Owls. “These guys care. They want to come back and do better [after an off game]. He knew he let himself down [against Wichita State]. He has so much pride and he came back hungrier.”

As for the now of it all, Dainja — yet another first-team All-AAC honoree — actually mentioned “getting old” after the Tigers beat Temple last month. (He’s 22.) His basketball life is about winning. The busier Dainja finds himself this postseason, the more danger Memphis opponents will experience.

Clean the glass. There’s one unifying thread when you examine the Tigers’ five losses this season: more rebounds by their opponent. If you consider every rebound an extra chance to score, Temple had 24 more opportunities (49-25) in the Owls’ seven-point win in January. That ugly loss at Wichita State? The Shockers pulled down 54 rebounds to the Tigers’ 45.

Memphis is not a big team. Dainja, Cisse, and Jourdain will be trusted with much of the rebounding responsibility, but smaller players — Haggerty and Colby Rogers, to name two starters — must earn a few extra possessions for the Tigers to win the close games to come. And beware foul trouble for the 6’9” Dainja or the 6’11” Cisse. Losing either for an extended stretch would force Hardaway to play “small ball,” and against the wrong opponent, that can go sideways fast.

“Once Dain gets going,” notes Hardaway, “you have to double-team him. And we can tee up threes; we love that advantage. He’s bought into the role we have for him. He knew Moussa was coming and didn’t know how much time he would get. We need him to score, so we make him comfortable.” If the Tigers are to advance this month, they need Dainja to rebound, too.

Unheralded hero. Or two. The margin between victory and defeat in the NCAA tournament is miniscule. Three years ago, in the second round, the Tigers led the top-ranked team in the country (Gonzaga) at halftime, only to stumble in the second half. Two years ago, had an official granted the Tigers the late-game timeout players requested during a scramble, it may have been Memphis (and not FAU) that advanced to the Final Four.

Remember that win over Connecticut last November? The Tigers found themselves going to overtime against the second-ranked team in the country, but with Haggerty having fouled out. Into the spotlight strides another PJ, last name Carter. The UTSA transfer proceeded to make six consecutive free throws and drain a three-pointer to all but personally deliver a season-changing upset to his new team. 

Haggerty and Dainja must have a productive supporting cast for Memphis to advance in the Big Dance. Will Carter be the one to grab some national attention off the bench? Maybe it will be Rogers, at times a long-distance threat (and others virtually invisible). If the current Tigers have a “glue guy,” it’s Jourdain, the lone veteran, now wrapping up his second season under Hardaway. The senior has started every game this season after starting 25 upon his arrival from Temple for the 2023-24 campaign. Jourdain had a pair of late put-backs at UAB that helped seal the Tigers’ biggest win in conference play. His averages of 6.4 points per game and 5.6 rebounds are mere whispers of his value. Depth is an overrated factor for a 40-minute basketball game, but a surprise performance is always welcome. One or two can shift that precious margin for victory in the right direction.

Embrace the unlikely. Hardaway is associated with the number 1, and for obvious reasons. But the retired jersey number below his name that has hung from the rafters above the Tigers’ court for 30 years now is … 25. Could such a celebrated-but-forgotten pair of digits be an omen for a 2025 tournament run under Coach Hardaway’s watch?

Consider that these Tigers won the first AAC regular-season crown in program history. This was not predicted back in November. (UAB was picked to win.) These Tigers climbed to a ranking of 14th in the AP poll, the highest Memphis has been ranked after Valentine’s Day since 2009 (John Calipari’s last season as head coach). This was not predicted back in November, as the Tigers began the season outside the Top 25. These Tigers have nabbed a 5 seed in the NCAA tournament. Also not predicted, and how significant, you ask? Memphis has reached the Sweet 16 ten times since seeding began in 1979, but never seeded lower than sixth.

As for the crucible of NCAA tournament play, consider the Tigers’ record this season away from FedExForum: 16-3. Not only have they won an ocean away from home (Maui), but they’ve won at Clemson, at Virginia, at Tulane, and at UAB, smaller arenas packed with crowds loudly rooting against their success. This Memphis team may encounter an opponent with more talent, maybe more luck. But it’s hard to imagine the Tigers being intimidated by what’s to come with all the madness. 

“They want to be champions,” emphasizes Hardaway. “They’ve come together and bonded. They’ve set out on a mission, and they’re not letting anything distract them. We’ve had a couple of bad games in conference, but these guys are locked in. They’re together. That’s why we’re so resilient.” 

Seeded 5th in the West Region, Memphis (29-5) opens play on Friday in Seattle against Colorado State (25-9).

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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

Turnovers Doom Grizzlies in Loss to Kings

Jaren Jackson Jr. guards Zach LaVine. (Credit: AP)

The luck of the Irish was not with the Memphis Grizzlies Monday night, as they were defeated by the Sacramento Kings 132-122. With the loss, the Grizzlies drop to the fifth seed in the Western Conference standings.

The Grizzlies battled hard, and despite a breakout night from Desmond Bane, they were not able to overcome their poor defense and the Kings’ three-point shooting.

No point guard? That’s a problem, or it was Monday night. All three of the Grizzlies’ point guards were either injured or unavailable – Ja Morant and Scotty Pippen Jr. were both sidelined with injuries. Yuki Kawamura was on assignment with the Memphis Hustle.

Backup big man Santi Aldama was also on the injured list for the fifth game in a row. He is currently recovering from a right calf strain.

As mentioned, Desmond Bane had a breakout game, delivering a new season-high of 44 points and shooting a perfect 7 of 7 from beyond the arc. Bane tried to put the team on his back in the second half, to no avail.

Sacramento dominated throughout the game, and aside from a two-point lead in the first quarter, the Grizzlies trailed the rest of the way.

The Kings lost all-star Domantas Sabonis for the night after rolling an ankle in the third quarter, but they got a firepower boost from a familiar face: former Grizzly Jake LaRavia, who led Sacramento’s second unit to the tune of 12 points and a couple of well-timed three-point makes.

The elephant in the room is once again that the Grizzlies committed double-digit turnovers — they gave up 21 points off 18 turnovers. Even though the Kings gave up a similar amount (20 points off 14 turnovers), the Grizzlies giving up 21 points in turnovers in a game they lost by 10 points is, to put it mildly, less than ideal.

With only 13 games remaining in the season, this Memphis team is running out of time to right the ship, and turnovers may well cost them in the postseason.

By The Numbers:

Desmond Bane led all scorers and set a new season-high with 44 points on 15 of 25 overall shooting and 7 of 7 from beyond the arc. He added 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal.

Jaylen Wells scored 14 points on 4 of 11 overall shooting and 3 of 8 from three, to go along with 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal.

Jaren Jackson Jr. put up 12 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal.

Zach Edey added 12 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, and 4 blocks.

Brandon Clarke led the second unit with 15 points, and had 8 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Who Got Next?

The Grizzlies’ west coast road trip continues. Wednesday night, they will be in Portland to face the Trailblazers. Tip-off is at 9 PM CDT.

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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.

Categories
Beyond the Arc Sports

Ja Morant Puts Up Season-High in Loss to Cavs

Ja Morant shoots the ball against the Cleveland Cavaliers. (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images.)

The Memphis Grizzlies faced off against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night and were defeated 133-124. 

Cleveland has been having a breakout year, starting with a franchise record of 15 straight wins to start the season. With this win, they have set a new record 16-game winning streak. They are the first team with multiple 15-game winning streaks in the same season since the 2006-2007 Phoenix Suns. 

I expected Memphis to lose this game. However, how they lost and how Cleveland outmatched them is worth mentioning, as it highlights an issue with three-point shooting that has plagued the Grizzlies this season.

The Cavs dominated from beyond the arc from the start, and the Grizzlies struggled to hit shots from three-point range. 

Cleveland outscored Memphis 57-33 from beyond the arc, while Memphis outscored Cleveland 66-44 in the painted area.

Luke Kennard, the Grizzlies’ best three-point shooter and one of the best outside shooters in the league, finished the night with zero points and shot 0 of 4 from three, just one game after putting up his career-high against the Utah Jazz.

Cleveland was missing its best player, all-star Donovan Mitchell, but that didn’t slow them down — seven players scored in double figures.

The Cavs came out shooting hot, and the Grizzlies very much did not — that was the theme of the first half. The Cavs opened the second quarter on a 20-9 run, and by the midway point, they had built a 75-58 lead over the Grizzlies.

Memphis did attempt to come back in the second half and managed to cut the lead to single digits briefly in the fourth quarter, outscoring Cleveland 32-21 in the final period. But this was an instance of being outmatched by a team that just flat-out played better. 

Despite the loss, it wasn’t all doom and gloom for Grizzlies fans.  

Ja Morant scored a new season-high of 44 points and has been on fire throughout March, averaging 31.3 points, 4 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game.

Friday night also saw the return of Jaren Jackson Jr., who has been sidelined with a sprained left ankle. He was expected to miss 3-4 weeks but returned to the court after just five games.

The Grizzlies need him on the court if they are to have any chance at a decent postseason run.

By The Numbers:

Morant put up a season-high 44 points on 17 of 22 overall shooting, and added 8 rebounds, 7 assists, and 1 steal.

Jackson Jr. put up 13 points, 3 rebounds, 4 steals, and 2 blocks in his return while shooting a team-best 3 of 5 from three-point range.

Desmond Bane finished with 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Brandon Clarke led the bench with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal while shooting 5 of 7 overall.

Who Got Next?

The Grizzlies are back at it again Saturday. They face the Miami Heat to finish their five-game homestand. Tip-off is at 7 PM CDT.

Postgame, the team will honor Grizzlies legend Tony Allen as they retire his number 9 jersey.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Power Through to Beat Suns

Ja Morant on defense against Tyus Jones. (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images.)

The Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Phoenix Suns Monday night 120-118 and swept the season series.

Missing players due to injury is nothing new for the Grizzlies this season. The depth of their roster has been a key factor in maintaining a position near the top of the Western Conference, and it was their depth that allowed them to beat a Phoenix team led by Kevin Durant, one of the best big men in the league.

With Jaren Jackson Jr., Brandon Clarke, Santi Aldama, and Zach Edey all sidelined, Jay Huff went from DNP-CD in seven of the past ten games to the starting lineup, and to his credit, he rose to meet the moment.

Getting down in the first half and struggling to regain a lead in the second half has been an unfortunate, ongoing trend for this Grizzlies team; they now have a league-leading 16 double-digit comebacks.

Phoenix opened the game shooting 50% from beyond the arc, allowing the Suns to build an early lead. Kevin Durant led the charge, putting up 14 points in the first quarter on 4 of 5 shooting from three-point range alongside former Grizzly Tyus Jones’ 2 of 2 from beyond the arc.

Jones was not the only former player who tormented the Grizzlies from long range in the first half; Grayson Allen shot 2 of 2 from beyond the arc in the second quarter.

The Grizzlies looked a lot better offensively in the second quarter. They outscored the Suns 31-25 in the period, cutting Phoenix’s 16-point lead to two points at the half.

The Grizzlies’ bench was nearly as productive as their starters in the first half, outscoring the Suns’ second unit 28-13. Shoutout to rookie Cam Spencer’s 11-point second quarter.

Spencer scored a career-high 16 points, but his most entertaining contribution to the game was the double technical fouls between him and Kevin Durant after Spencer’s three-point buzzer-beater at the end of the third quarter.

Real talk — Cam Spencer barking at Kevin Durant is kind of a whole mood, and I am very much here for it.

The Suns never trailed in the first half, and the Grizzlies didn’t see their first lead until early in the third quarter after they scored six straight to open the period.

Ja Morant scoring double-digit points in the fourth quarter is becoming a regular occurrence, and his explosive playmaking has been a difference-maker down the stretch. The Grizzlies need Morant at his best as they close out the season.

By The Numbers:

Ja Morant led the team with 29 points, 4 rebounds, 12 assists, and 1 steal while shooting 9 of 13 overall and a perfect 10 of 10 from the free-throw line.

GG Jackson and Jay Huff joined the starting lineup and made a big impact offensively:

Jackson finished with 14 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 steals on 6 of 12 overall shooting.

Huff closed out with 14 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 blocks on 5 of 11 overall shooting and 4 of 8 from beyond the arc.

Desmond Bane put up 10 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block.

Cam Spencer led the second unit with a career-high 16 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals while shooting 5 of 9 overall and 4 of 7 from three-point range.

Scotty Pippen Jr. added 13 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.

Lamar Stevens closed out with 13 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block while shooting 4 of 6 from beyond the arc.

Who Got Next?

The Grizzlies will play at home for their next three games, starting with the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night. Tip-off is at 7 PM CDT.

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.