Category: Beyond the Arc

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Season Ends in Disappointment

Scotty Pippen Jr. shoots a three-point shot in Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round 1 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on April 26, 2025. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Oklahoma City Thunder completed a 4-0 sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies with a thrilling 117-115 win on Saturday, capping off a tumultuous season for Memphis.

The season took a dramatic turn with the firing of head coach Taylor Jenkins, who was let go with just nine games remaining.

Memphis also faced significant challenges heading into their series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Before the series even began, they had lost two key players to season-ending injuries: Brandon Clarke, who suffered a knee injury in March, and Jaylen Wells, who was sidelined with a broken wrist in April. 

To make matters worse, star guard Ja Morant suffered a hip contusion during Game 3 after colliding with Thunder defender Lu  Dort, which kept him out of Game 4. After the loss of Clarke and Wells, Morant’s absence proved too much for the Grizzlies to overcome.

“The season didn’t end the way we wanted it to,” Desmond Bane said after Saturday’s loss. “We do have a strong sense of who we are and what we want to be. We didn’t win a game in a series, so we know we’ve still got a long way to go. We’re going to approach the offseason in that manner.”

Bane described the season as “unique,” succinctly capturing the Grizzlies’ rollercoaster experience.

They’re a good team,” Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. said of the Thunder after the series loss. “They were a good team for all these games, and we had a lot of chances, a lot of moments, especially in these last two games to capitalize on certain things.” 

Jackson Jr. acknowledged that he needs to improve, and took responsibility for putting his team in position to succeed by making better plays, reducing turnovers, and performing better in the postseason.

The Thunder did a great job neutralizing Jackson Jr.’s offense. “I’m putting it on myself to continue to bring that to the team because they deserve to get the best version of me out there,” Jackson said. “They brought a lot of defensive pressure. I gotta be ready for that and be able to make adjustments. You gotta have the little things down playing a team like this.”

Jackson Jr. and Bane’s efforts to lead the Grizzlies to wins without Morant raises concerns about their ability to effectively complement him when he’s on the court in the postseason.

Jackson Jr.’s playoff performance, for example, was a step back from his regular season form. After averaging 22.2 points on 48.8% shooting during the regular season, he dropped to 16 points per game on 37.9% shooting in the playoffs.

Bane’s playoff performance was also a notable decline from his regular season form, particularly from beyond the arc, where he shot a dismal 21.9% compared to his regular season mark of nearly 40%.

Memphis badly needed Jackson Jr. and Bane to excel, particularly after Ja Morant’s injury, to keep their season afloat. After lackluster showings in Games 3 and 4, it’s time for them to step up and perform at a higher level in the postseason going forward. 

Scotty Pippen Jr. made a valiant effort, averaging 29 points, 8 rebounds, 4.5 assists, and 1.5 steals over the last two games. One of the few bright spots of the post-season.

Before fouling out on Saturday, Pippen led the Grizzlies with 30 points and 11 rebounds, achieving his first career playoff double-double and setting a new playoff career high.

But Memphis ultimately fell short of expectations, wrapping up a disappointing 2024-25 season that fueled rumors of potential roster shakeups, especially given the team’s experienced core and the high expectations that come with it. With only one playoff series win during Morant’s tenure, change might be imminent.

Interim Grizzlies head coach Tuomas Iisalo praised the team’s perseverance, character, and togetherness, citing the significant emotional turmoil arising from a coaching change, injuries, and tough losses. He lauded the players for staying focused and not giving up.

The Grizzlies’ season has ended, but numerous questions remain about the team’s future path and what changes lie ahead.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Falter in Second Half After Morant Injury

Scotty Pippen Jr. shoots the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images.)

The Memphis Grizzlies are now down 0-3 in their playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder after a devastating 114-108 loss in Game 3.

The Grizzlies had a chance to extend the series with a win on their home court, and they opened the game like a team on a mission. The first quarter was an absolute master class of Grizzlies basketball. They outscored the Thunder 40-29 in the period and 24-3 from beyond the arc.

Props to Scotty Pippen Jr., who shot four of four from beyond the arc in the first quarter.

Memphis’ eight made three-pointers in the first quarter are more than they made in all of Game 1.

The second quarter was progressing in a similar fashion, and the Grizzlies built their lead up to 29 points.

Then, with just over two minutes remaining in the period, Oklahoma City guard Luguentz Dort crashed into Ja Morant while attempting to block his drive to the basket and sent Morant face-first into the ground.

Medical staff came immediately to evaluate Morant, who had to be helped off the court. The play was reviewed and ruled a common foul. I would argue that it met the definition of at least a flagrant foul 1 for unnecessary contact — a defender undercutting an airborne shooter is a dangerous play.

Morant would not return to play, and his injury shifted the whole mood of the game. Memphis led 77-51 at halftime, but the loss of their star player proved to be too much to overcome. And there is no way this comeback happens if Morant is on the court.  

The second half of the game looked a lot like the blowouts in Oklahoma City. The Grizzlies struggled to defend the perimeter in the third quarter, and the Thunder made them pay for it. Center Chet Holmgren shot 4 of 5 from beyond the arc in the period and 6 of 8 overall, making up 16 of the Thunder’s 36 points.

After giving up only two points off turnovers in the first half, Memphis gave up 15 points off seven turnovers in the third quarter.

Oklahoma City went on a 23-8 run, bridging the third and fourth quarters to tie the game at 99-99, and then overpowered the Grizzlies in the final minutes.

Stick a fork in it, because this series might be done.

By The Numbers:

Scotty Pippen Jr. led the team with 28 points on 8 of 16 overall shooting and 6 of 10 from beyond the arc, He added 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block.

Jaren Jackson Jr. put up 22 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.

Before his injury, Morant scored 15 points, and had 1 rebound and 5 assists.

Desmond Bane added 10 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.

Santi Aldama led the second unit with 14 points, and added 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 block.

Who Got Next?

Game 4 of the series is on Saturday, April 26th. Tip-off is at 2:30 PM CDT.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Fall to Thunder in Game 2

Ja Morant shoots the ball during Game 2 against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Round 1 of the 2025 NBA Playoffs on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 (Photo by: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Oklahoma City Thunder took control with a 118-99 win over the Memphis Grizzlies, securing a 2-0 series lead behind stifling defense and relentless effort. The Thunder held Memphis to under 100 points for the second consecutive game. 

Grizzlies interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo said that his team’s struggles go beyond turnovers, citing losses in the possession game and rebounding battle, particularly on offense, where opponents grab nearly 30% of rebounds. This is pressuring the team’s shot quality, and these issues stem from the same underlying problems, he said. 

Iisalo admitted that the Thunder’s active defense is disrupting the Grizzlies’ offense, particularly when setting screens and on drives. He noted that OKC’s anticipation and ability to stay on passing lanes are making it hard for Memphis to execute their plays and complete kick-out passes.

Iisalo had a simple message for his team, “Let’s get on the plane as soon as possible. They took care of their business — now it’s time for us to take care of our business at home.” 

Iisalo said his team started competing seriously in the third quarter and played nearly even from there on. However, he emphasized the need to maintain that level of competition for the entire 48 minutes and adopt an attack mindset from the start.

After a rough Game 1, Jaren Jackson Jr. bounced back with a strong performance, scoring 26 points on 10-of-17 shooting to lead the Grizzlies.

Jackson Jr. noted that  Game 2 was a big improvement from Game 1 and credited the team’s more aggressive attitude for the change, trying to “hit first” rather than react. But it wasn’t enough. 

The 25-year-old big man said he read the defense better in Game 2, being more proactive and avoiding getting doubled or tripled as easily as he did in Game 1.

He went on to say playing a strong team like the Thunder is fun and motivating, pushing them to be their best and get better. It’s a challenge they need to accept.

“It’s a series. You never get too high or too low about anything. You’ve got to go home and take care of business,” Jackson Jr. said after the game. “Ride the wave of the home crowd and protect home court. Have that confidence and that swag.”

Ja Morant added 23 points and six assists. He wasn’t happy with himself after the team’s second consecutive blowout loss.

“I’ve got to be better. It’s simple,” Morant vowed after Tuesday’s loss. “If I be better, we’ll be better.”

Iisalo emphasized the need for better “quality” in the team’s offense, including improved entries, separation, screening, and spacing, to get players like Morant going.

Desmond Bane rebounded from a modest 9-point performance in Game 1, finishing with 19 points and 12 rebounds in Game 2.

Bane said the Grizzlies executed better and took care of the ball more in Game 2, but still made mistakes that good teams in the playoffs capitalize on. He emphasized the need to clean up those errors.

The Thunder scored 25 points off 15 Grizzlies turnovers and dominated in transition, outscoring Memphis 21-3 in fast-break points.

“We’re getting beat to some loose balls. That’s stopping our transition,” said Bane. “They’re putting a lot of pressure on Ja and some of our other guys. We’ve just got to have multiple guys willing to push the ball and get us out in transition.”

Bane said the key is to play with confidence, trust each other, and play freely, which will lead to the shots falling and have fun. 

The Grizzlies will host Game 3 against the Thunder at FedExForum on Thursday, April 24. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 PM CT. You can catch the action on TNT and FanDuel Sports Network Southeast.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Get Decimated by Thunder in Game 1

Ja Morant drives to the basket in Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Photo: Joe Murphy/NBAE/Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies were soundly defeated 131-80 by the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series.

Woof.

This is a new low for the Grizzlies, in the most literal sense. Memphis was second in the league in scoring during the regular season, averaging 121.7 points per game.

It’s also the largest margin of victory for a Game 1 in NBA playoff history, so we have that going for us, too.

There was an expectation that this series would be a struggle for the Grizzlies — the Thunder beat them in all four regular-season games. A generous prediction for the series for Memphis would be a first-round exit that didn’t involve getting swept in four games.

After Sunday’s dismal performance, winning even one game in this series feels more unlikely than ever.

The Thunder exploited many of the same weaknesses that had plagued the Grizzlies during the regular season: getting into early foul trouble and giving up points off careless turnovers.

The Grizzlies dug themselves into an offensive hole in the first half that they couldn’t overcome. They were outscored by the Thunder 68-36 in the first half.

The second half was more brutal than the first.

If Memphis had any hopes of making a comeback, Oklahoma City put them firmly to rest in the third quarter by outscoring the Grizzlies 44-27 in the period and leading by as many as 52 points.

The outcome was so obvious that the Grizzlies pulled their big three of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Desmond Bane from the game and did not play them at all in the fourth quarter.

By The Numbers:

Memphis only had two players who finished the night in double-digits.

Ja Morant scored 17 points, three rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

Marvin Bagley III scored 17 points, five rebounds, two steals, and one block.

Who Got Next?

The series between the Grizzlies and the Thunder continues with Game 2 on Tuesday, April 22nd. Tip-off is at 6:30 p.m. CDT.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Clinch Playoff Berth

Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13) drives against Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II (2) during the first half on Friday, April 18, 2025, in Memphis. (Photo: Wes Hale)

The Memphis Grizzlies are headed back to the playoffs after a season marked by injuries and turmoil.

The Grizzlies convincingly clinched the eighth seed in the NBA playoffs, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 120-106 in a win or go home game of the Western Conference Play-In Tournament.

Memphis dominated the first quarter, outscoring the Mavericks 39-24 with a 22-9 run in the final three minutes. They extended their lead to as many as 25 points in the second quarter, holding a 66-49 halftime advantage. 

Although Dallas gained momentum in the third quarter, narrowing the gap to seven points, the Grizzlies maintained a double-digit lead for the rest of the game. 

Memphis dominated inside, outscoring the Mavericks 60-44 in paint points and out-rebounding them 50-36, with 16 offensive rebounds to Dallas’ 7. The Grizzlies also outscored Dallas 24-14 in points off turnovers.

As the Grizzlies’ season hung in the balance, Jaren Jackson Jr. sent a purposeful message to Ja Morant and Desmond Bane. 

“Setting the tone, I felt like us three were pretty much locked [in] the whole time,” Morant said, referring to himself, Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane. “As soon as the Warriors game was over we pretty much locked in on what we had to do to get to this point. Trip [Jackson Jr.] sent us a little paragraph earlier. Me and Des responded and it pretty much was enough said. We already knew what we were going out there to do.” 

The players didn’t disclose the exact content of Jackson Jr.’s message, but Desmond Bane said it resonated with him and likely with Ja Morant as well.

“We’ve had a nice little group chat running all year long, and we’ve been able to pinball different things off each other,” Bane said of Jackson’s text message. “And I needed to hear it. I’m sure Ja needed to hear it, too, coming into this game. 

Bane continued, “Our response was, ‘Let’s march; let’s do it. Let’s put our best foot forward; let’s go do it. 

Neither player was ready for their season to end. 

Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 24 points, going 10-for-18 from the field and 4-for-5 on threes, while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing out four assists in 36 minutes.

Morant was a game-time decision due to a sprained ankle he suffered against Golden State on Tuesday. Despite the injury, he received two injections, constant treatment, and therapy to play and finished with 22 points, nine assists, seven rebounds, and three steals in 32 minutes.

Desmond Bane scored 22 points, dished out nine assists, grabbed five rebounds, and had two steals. Zach Edey notched his second straight double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds, adding two blocks.

Scotty Pippen Jr. scored 13 points in his second straight start, while Santi Aldama contributed 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists as a reserve. 

Off the bench, John Konchar tallied five points, eight rebounds, and two assists, with a team-high +18, and Marvin Bagley III posted six points, five rebounds, and one block.

Up Next 

The Grizzlies will take on the juggernaut Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the Western Conference Quarterfinals in the NBA Playoffs. 

The Thunder went 4-0 against the Grizzlies in the regular season, winning by an average of 18.8 points per game.

Mark your calendars. Note: All times are Central.

Game 1: Sunday, April 20 | Grizzlies at OKC, 12:00 p.m. on ABC

Game 2:  Tuesday, April 22 | Grizzlies at OKC, 6:30 p.m. on TNT and FanDuel Sports Network 

Game 3:  Thursday, April 24 | OKC at Grizzlies, 8:30 p.m. on TNT and FanDuel Sports Network 

Game 4:  Saturday, April 26 | OKC at Grizzlies, 2:30 p.m on TNT and FanDuel Sports Network 

Game 5:  Monday, April 28 | Grizzlies at OKC, TBD (if necessary)

Game 6:  Thursday, May 1 | OKC at Grizzlies, TBD (if necessary)

Game 7:  Saturday, May 3 | Grizzlies at Jazz, TBD (if necessary)

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Drop First Play-In Game to Warriors

Ja Morant drives the ball against the Golden State Warriors. (Photo: NBAE/Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies are fighting to keep their postseason hopes alive after losing their first play-in match against the Golden State Warriors, final score 121-116.

The rivalry between these two teams remains alive and well — it was born during the 2015 Western Conference semifinals series against the Warriors, which turned out to be the Core Four of Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol, Mike Conley, and Tony Allen’s last postseason hurrah, and bolstered during the 2022 Western Conference semifinals.

One constant for the Golden State Warriors during that time has been Steph Curry, who is arguably the greatest three-point shooter of all time.

Curry’s prowess from beyond the arc was on display Tuesday night against the Grizzlies: He shot six of 13 from three-point range and 18 of his 37 points came from beyond the arc.

But it wasn’t the Warriors three-point shooting that beat the Grizzlies; the Grizzlies beat themselves by committing too many turnovers and getting into early foul trouble.

Golden State scored 27 points off 20 Memphis turnovers, with 34 free throw attempts compared to Memphis’ 23.

Interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo shifted around the starting lineup in the absence of injured rookie forward Jaylen Wells, with Desmond Bane moving into the small forward position and Scotty Pippen Jr. as the starting shooting guard.

By the Numbers:

Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 30 points on 11 of 21 overall shooting and five of eight from beyond the arc, six rebounds, four assists, one steal, and one block.

Ja Morant scored 22 points on nine of 18 overall shooting and one of three from three-point range, three rebounds, three assists, and one steal.

Morant turned his ankle during the third quarter, and while he returned to the game, it remains to be seen how it will impact his play going forward.

Jaren Jackson Jr. added 18 points on six of 15 overall shooting and four of nine from beyond the arc, six rebounds, four assists, and one steal.

Rookie big man Zach Edey finished with 14 points, a game-high 17 rebounds, and two assists.

Santi Aldama led the bench with 14 points, eight rebounds, and two assists.

Who Got Next?

It’s win or go home time for this Memphis team as they fight to claim the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Grizzlies will play the winner of tonight’s play-in game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Sacramento Kings on Friday, April 18th. Tip-off is at 8:30 p.m. CDT on ESPN.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Win Final Regular Season Game

Memphis Grizzlies forward Lamar Stevens (8) handles the ball against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday, April 13, 2025, in Memphis. (Photo: Wes Hale)

The Memphis Grizzlies ended the 2024-25 regular season on a high note, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 132-97 at FedExForum.

Memphis finished the season 3-1 against the Mavericks and snapped a four-game home losing streak, concluding the regular season with a 26-15 home record at FedExForum.

The Grizzlies gave most of their regular rotation players rest after a taxing three-game stretch.

Mostly bench players put on a show, delivering an impressive performance before a packed house.

Lamar Stevens led the Grizzlies with a career-high 31 points, complemented by six rebounds and three assists in a standout performance.

Marvin Bagley III posted a season-high 25 points and grabbed a season-best 11 rebounds, securing his first double-double of the season.

Rookie Cam Spencer had a breakout performance, setting career highs with 23 points and seven assists.

Jay Huff exploded off the bench, scoring a career-high 22 points to go with six rebounds, six blocks (tying a career high), and two steals.

Vince Williams Jr. notched his first double-double of the season — and fourth of his career — with 12 points and a season-high 11 rebounds, adding five assists.

Yuki Kawamura set career highs off the bench, scoring 12 points, grabbing five rebounds, and dishing out five assists.

John Konchar added two points, seven rebounds, and three assists, highlighted by a career-high six steals.

Memphis (48-34) secured the eighth seed in the NBA Play-In Tournament and will face the Golden State Warriors (48-34), the seventh seed, on April 15th at 9 p.m. CT at Chase Center. The game will be televised on TNT.

The winner of the Grizzlies-Warriors matchup will earn the seventh seed and face the No. 2 seeded Houston Rockets in the first round. The loser will play the winner of the Kings-Mavericks game for the eighth seed and face the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Fall to Nuggets in Denver

Desmond Bane drives the ball against the Denver Nuggets. (Credit: NBAE/Getty Images.)

In their next-to-last game of the season, the Memphis Grizzlies were defeated 117-109 by the Denver Nuggets.

The Grizzlies’ one remaining regular-season game, at home against Dallas on Sunday, will determine whether they finish the season as the seventh or eighth seed.

Either way, they will participate in the play-in tournament.

What a far cry from earlier this year when the Grizzlies were sitting comfortably in the second seed. But their overall record hides a deeper problem: they can’t beat good teams on a consistent basis.

Their record against teams over .500 is 14-25; for teams under .500, it is 33-9. They are better than last season, but not yet good enough against the teams they will need to defeat to win a championship.

This brings us back to Friday night’s game against the Nuggets in Denver. The Grizzlies were visibly fatigued, playing on the second night of back-to-back games in one of the toughest road arenas in the league. But that doesn’t excuse blowing a 15-point lead in a must-win game. Good defense is only good if you can defend without fouling.

Memphis allowed Denver to get in the bonus early in the third quarter, giving them six more free-throw attempts. Overall, the Nuggets had 31 free throw attempts to the Grizzlies’ 19. Giving your opponent 12 more opportunities to score with the clock stopped in a game you lost by eight is … less than ideal.

The Grizzlies got beaten at their own game: The Nuggets outscored them in the paint 72-52.

The Nuggets have a perennial MVP candidate in Nikola Jokic, who made the Grizzlies pay, to the tune of 26 points, 16 rebounds, and 13 assists. Nuggets’ forward Aaron Gordon led all scorers with 33 points and 5 rebounds.

Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 24 points, and adding 6 rebounds, and 1 steal.

Ja Morant put up 21 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal.

Jaren Jackson Jr. added 18 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, and 2 blocks.

Luke Kennard led the second unit with 12 points, and added 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal.

Scotty Pippen Jr. added 11 points, 1 rebound, and 7 assists.

Who Got Next?

The Grizzlies will play their final game of the regular season at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks at FedExForum.

Tip-off is at 2:30 PM CDT.

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Grizzlies Go Wire-to-Wire in Charlotte

Ja Morant dunks the ball against the Charlotte Hornets. (Credit: NBAE/Getty Images.)

The Memphis Grizzlies grabbed their third win in a row Tuesday night against the Charlotte Hornets, coming away with a 124-100 victory.

The playoff race in the Western Conference is extremely tight, and final seeding won’t be determined until all the regular season games have been played.

The Grizzlies have fallen from the second seed, where they spent most of the season before the all-star break, to the seventh seed with this win.

There are four teams, including Memphis, with a 47-32 record: the Denver Nuggets, the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Golden State Warriors.

The teams in seventh through tenth place at the end of the season will compete in the So-Fi Play-In Tournament to determine who ultimately takes the seventh and eighth seeds in the actual playoffs.

The Grizzlies took ownership of the game in the first quarter, outscoring the Hornets 33-18, and set the tone for the rest of the game. Memphis forced Charlotte into giving up 13 points off 7 turnovers in the opening stanza.

Turnovers again had a huge impact on a Grizzlies game, but this time in Memphis’ favor, as they cored 25 points off the Hornets’ 15 turnovers while only giving up 16 points off their own 14 turnovers.

The second quarter was marked by one of the scariest moments I have seen in a game. Rookie Jaylen Wells was driving to the basket for a dunk when he was crashed into from behind by Charlotte guard KJ Simpson, knocking him to the ground and forcing him to land on his head and neck.

Wells was immediately surrounded by medical personnel from both teams and was taken away via stretcher and transported to a nearby hospital.

Per league policy, the game was delayed for roughly 25 minutes until another ambulance and paramedic crew arrived on site.

Simpson was ejected from the game for a flagrant foul, penalty 2, which is described as unnecessary and excessive contact committed by a player against an opponent.

It was later announced that Wells had a broken wrist and would miss the remainder of the season. Prior to this injury, he played in every game this season and has been invaluable for this Memphis team.

The Grizzlies continued to dominate for the rest of the game, led by their big three of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., and Desmond Bane.

They led by as many as 29 points and outscored the Hornets 61-56 in the second half.

By The Numbers:

Ja Morant led all scorers with 28 points, and added 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 1 block.

Desmond Bane scored 19 points, plus 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.

Zach Edey put up 17 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, and had 3 steals and 1 block.

Edey has had 40 rebounds in the past two games, a feat only achieved by a rookie one other time in league history: Shaquille O’Neal.

Jaren Jackson Jr. finished the night with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 steals.

Santi Aldama led the bench with 11 points, adding 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals.

Scotty Pippen Jr. put up 10 points, 1 rebound, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.

Who Got Next?

The Grizzlies are returning home on Thursday to face the Minnesota Timberwolves. The game is a must-win for the Grizzlies as they fight for playoff position. Tip-off is at 8:30 PM CDT.

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Grizzlies Take Down Pistons to Win Second Straight

Desmond Bane shoots the ball against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, April 5, 2025 (Photo by: Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies secured the season series against the Detroit Pistons with a 109-103 win Saturday night, marking their ninth consecutive victory over Detroit. 

The Grizzlies dominated Detroit on the glass, out-rebounding them 64-44 and converted 17 offensive boards into 23 second-chance points. 

Grizzlies All-Star guard Ja Morant was sidelined due to food poisoning. His backcourt mate Desmond Bane led Memphis in his absence.

Bane exploded for 38 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out three assists, while shooting 15-for-23 from the field. His 15 made shots tied for the second-most in his career, behind the 19 he made in a 49-point outing against the Pistons last season.

“He’s a good player and he can score in so many different ways,” Piston’s head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of Bane after the game. “He can make open shots; he can put the ball on the floor and create his own. He’s good at driving the ball and creating contact. He’s just a well-rounded offensive player.”

Memphis held Detroit to just 38 percent shooting, a promising sign that the team’s defense might be back on track. Have the Grizzlies finally figured out their identity on that end of the floor? Let’s hope so. The question on everyone’s mind is: Can they sustain this level of defensive intensity going forward? 

Bane said of the defense after the much-needed win , “That’s got to be our calling card for now, and for the rest of the season. We (have) to be able to get stops.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. posted 27 points, and added 11 rebounds, two assists, and a steal. He’s now scored 20+ points in five of his last six games and has reached double figures in 12 consecutive games.

Scotty Pippen Jr. added 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two blocked shots.

Zach Edey set a new career high and Grizzlies rookie record with 21 rebounds, adding six points, six assists, and a block. He’s been dominating on the glass, grabbing 13+ rebounds in each of his last three games. Edey currently ranks second among rookies with 8.0 rebounds per game, just behind Yves Missi’s 8.2. His impressive rebounding effort also tied for the 12th-most in a single game in Grizzlies franchise history.

Grizzlies interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo on Edey’s night: “He had a huge impact. He’s had an incredible stretch of games, 21 rebounds today. I think that’s a franchise rookie record. He also had six assists on top of that. There’s a lot of noise in an individual game basis, but he’s grasping the tactical nuances, he’s disciplined and executing the game plan. He’s relentless in getting after the second shots and screening for our shooters. He’s got a very bright future ahead of him.”

The Grizzlies improved to 46-32 on the season, putting them in a heated contest for postseason aspirations with only four games left to play. Every game matters at this point.

Up Next

The Grizzlies will face the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.