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.
As Americans look toward the Easter season, and the price of eggs continues to climb, many Tennesseeans are considering changing their usual Easter plans in order to keep eggs on their menus and hidden in their yards.
Ginny Minniger’s grocery budget isn’t as tight as some people’s, she says, but she will forgo a few things in order to buy eggs to color for Easter.
“There are some traditions I must carry on,” the Chattanooga woman said. “So I’ll forgo some of the chocolate bunny treats so that I’ll be able to afford two dozen eggs to color. I’ll defy hard times and buy those eggs!”
Dr. Tom Tabler, University of Tennessee Poultry Extension and Research Specialist, doesn’t foresee a decline in the price of eggs any time soon. “Don’t expect much relief from high egg prices as we head into the Easter season, always a time of high egg demand,” he said.
In 2023, the average annual consumption of eggs in the U.S. was estimated at 281 per person. Egg demand has increased for the past 23 consecutive months while avian influenza continues to plague egg-laying chicken flocks across the nation, keeping egg prices at an all-time high.
Tabler said the disease has decimated the egg supply in recent months. And at a time when egg demand is high, supply and demand are also helping to fuel egg prices.
“That is not likely to change in the near future,” Tabler said. “Since the start of the most recent avian influenza outbreak in February 2022, roughly 100 million table-egg laying hens have been lost to the disease.”
“Roughly 52 million of those 100 million were lost between October 2024 and February 2025,” said Tabler. “The loss of so many birds in such a short time-frame has driven egg prices to record high levels.”
According to federal government policies, if one bird in a flock of laying hens is affected by avian influenza, the entire flock must be depopulated.
Support your local farmer
Historically, eggs purchased directly from farms are lower-priced than in supermarkets.
“Local farmers that have signs near the road saying ‘Farm fresh eggs for sale’ is a good way to find eggs cheaper,” Tabler said. “Social media may be another potential source to find eggs. Your local county Extension office may be another possibility.”
Kelsey Keener has farmed his family land in Marion County since he was a young boy and now offers organic vegetables, native plants, grass-fed meats, fruits, farmstead cheese, and pasture-raised eggs at the farm stand at his Sequatchie Cove Farm.
He has a flock of 5,000 laying hens and expects that number to grow to 7,000 layers by late April. And with the high demand for eggs and consumers looking for lower prices, business has never been better, he said.
“The national egg shortage caused by the avian flu outbreak has actually been really good for our family’s egg operation, as we have had more demand for our eggs than we have ever experienced in our 20-plus years of farming,” he said, adding that the price of the farm’s eggs rose 50 cents a dozen, a price increase that was planned before the avian flu epidemic became widespread. Keener sells his eggs for $7 per dozen from the farm and $8 per dozen at Main Street Market on Wednesdays in Chattanooga.
To ensure the eggs his customers buy are safe, he feeds his chicken high-quality food and offers them outdoor space in the fresh air to roam.
“That being said, if you have any concerns about the safety of the eggs you are eating, be sure to cook them,” Keeler said. “The heat from cooking kills all potentially harmful viruses and bacteria.”
“The national egg shortage caused by the avian flu outbreak has actually been really good for our family’s egg operation, as we have had more demand for our eggs than we have ever experienced in our 20-plus years of farming,” said Kelsey Keener of Sequatchie Cove Farm (credit: Sequatchie Cove Farm)
Eggs on the menu
Restaurants, too, are feeling the pinch of high prices and, in turn, passing the higher prices on to their customers.
Mason Whitman, manager of Brother Juniper’s, a popular breakfast eatery in Memphis, said his restaurant has added a $1 surcharge per each egg dish on the menu, such as omelets and eggs Benedicts.
“This is a temporary measure, though,” he said. “We can do away with that once the prices we pay from our suppliers in Arkansas come down.”
Farmers and table egg companies are working to replace lost flocks, but it’s a process that takes time.
“Replacement birds must be hatched and raised for up to six months before they can begin laying eggs,” Tabler said. “As long as we continue to lose laying flocks to avian influenza on a regular basis, we will continue to be playing catch up with replacement flocks and egg prices will remain high and possibly go higher for the remainder of the year.”
Tennessee Lookout is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Tennessee Lookout maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Holly McCall for questions: info@tennesseelookout.com.
Luke Kennard handing the ball against the Utah Jazz on March 12, 2025 at FedExForum (Photo by: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Memphis Grizzlies invoked the “Call 12” mantra (Ja Morant) while joining forces with Memphis-10 (Luke Kennard to seal a thrilling 122-115 victory over the Utah Jazz Wednesday night, stretching their winning streak to four games.
At the half, Memphis was up by 14 points but Utah came storming back to make it a contest in the second half.
Collin Sexton converted on a jumper to put the Jazz ahead 115-114 with 1:16 remaining, but the Grizzlies swiftly regained the lead as Luke Kennard drained a crucial three-pointer. Morant then delivered the finishing blow, knocking down another three to extend the Grizzlies’ advantage to 120-115 with only 12 seconds left.
Memphis converted 20-of-44 from beyond the arc (.455), including 7-of-10 in the fourth quarter.
Kennard led the Grizzlies with career-high tying 30 points on 11 of 14 from the field including 7 of 9 from three. After the game, he talked about the importance of being aggressive — more active on both ends of the court, focusing on rebounding, creating deflections, and finding his rhythm early in the game.
Morant’s 28-point, seven-assist performance helped Memphis improve its season record to 42-24.
The All-Star guard acknowledged that the game against the Jazz wasn’t easy, despite their record. He emphasized that every NBA player deserves respect, and that the Jazz players came to play hard. Morant noted that his team had to lock in and stay focused after the Jazz cut into their lead, before ultimately securing the win.
Desmond Bane provided a strong all-around effort with 17 points, nine assists, and five rebounds, while Scotty Pippen Jr. delivered a boost off the bench, contributing 11 points, six assists, and a team-high four steals.
Roster News
The Grizzlies announced that forward Lamar Stevens was signed for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old has been helping off the bench and scored a season-high 13 points, including a career-high four 3-pointers, in a win on March 10 vs Phoenix.
Up Next
The Grizzlies face a formidable challenge as they host the league-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, March 15, with tip-off scheduled for 7 pm at FedExForum. Cleveland currently is on a 15-game winning streak.
Sen. Bo Watson, a Republican from Hixson, chairs the powerful Senate Finance Committee of the Tennessee General Assembly. (Larry McCormack for Chalkbeat)
A state Republican leader has introduced a resolution encouraging Tennessee teachers, especially geography teachers, to use the names Gulf of America and Mount McKinley when speaking with their students about map locations recently rebranded by President Donald Trump.
As a proposed resolution and not a law, the measure would not place any mandates or requirements on teachers if it’s approved.
State Senator Bo Watson (R-Hixson), who chairs the Senate Finance Committee, filed his resolution Thursday and had amassed 19 co-sponsors, including Lt. Governor Randy McNally, by the end of the day, ensuring its passage in the 33-member Senate.
Watson’s resolution follows Trump’s executive order renaming as the Gulf of America the body of water that for 400 years has been known internationally as the Gulf of Mexico. The order — titled “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” — also reversed President Barack Obama’s 2015 executive order renaming Alaska’s Mount McKinley, the nation’s highest peak, as Denali, the site’s Native Alaskan name.
Republican lawmakers in Iowa already have advanced a bill that would require schools to change educational materials to map names that align with Trump’s “America First” worldview.
The Tennessee proposal reads: “We most heartily agree with President Trump that ‘the naming of our national treasures … should honor the contribution of visionary and patriotic Americans in our nation’s rich past.’”
On Friday, Senate Democrats called the resolution a “distraction” to important education matters aimed at preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow.
“Everybody has a right to file resolutions if they think it’s important, but it’s not going to be one that I’ll support,” said Senate Minority Leader Raumesh Akbari, of Memphis.
Trump’s order has already sparked reflection, discussion, and debate among teachers, as well as mapmakers, journalists, and textbook publishers who seek to stay apolitical about map lines that are inherently political.
Mark Finchum, executive director of the Tennessee Council for the Social Studies, said his organization’s board has not taken a position so far or offered guidance to social studies teachers who are its members.
“Personally, I believe what teachers will do is what’s in the best interest of students,” said Finchum, a retired social studies teacher from Jefferson County.
“I don’t think they’re going to ignore the topic, but I also don’t think they’ll simply call it the Gulf of America and continue with the lesson,” he said. “In Tennessee, geography is primarily taught in middle and high school, so these students are old enough to have heard the words Gulf of Mexico. If you just call it the Gulf of America, some student is going to raise their hand.”
Tennessee, which overwhelmingly voted for Trump last fall and where Republicans have a firm grip on state government, has been an early adopter of laws stoking culture war battles around education in recent years.
In 2021, it became one of the first states to enact a law intended to restrict K-12 classroom discussions about race, gender, and bias. That law is being challenged in court by a group of teachers and the state’s largest teacher organization.
Under Republican Governor Bill Lee, the legislature also has passed several laws leading to the purging of hundreds of library books from public schools, with titles involving race, sex, and the Holocaust among the most frequent targets.
And earlier this month, Watson introduced a bill that could allow school districts and charter schools to bar undocumented students from enrolling, potentially challenging a 1982 U.S. Supreme Court decision entitling all children to a public education regardless of their immigration status.
His latest resolution says the body of water between Florida and Mexico warrants renaming because of the gulf’s pivotal role in shaping America’s future and the global economy.
Regarding the name of the nation’s highest peak in Alaska, the resolution cites President William McKinley’s leadership behind the U.S. victory in the Spanish-American War and the nation’s rapid expansion, including the annexations of Puerto Rico, Guam, and Hawaii, during McKinley’s administration from 1897 until his assassination in 1901.
Informally, Alaskans have called the snow-covered mountain Denali, its Native name, for decades. President McKinley, who was from Ohio, never set foot in the state.
You can track the resolution on the General Assembly’s website.
Marta Aldrich is a senior correspondent and covers the statehouse for Chalkbeat Tennessee. Contact her at maldrich@chalkbeat.org.
Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.
Chef Judd Grisanti at his "Gourmet to Go" food trailer (Credit: Carter Gober)
Judd Grisanti’s been cooking up something lately. Now he’s ready to spill the beans.
The popular chef from the Grisanti family restaurant fame is ready for people to get a taste (literally) of his latest venture. He will launch “Gourmet-To-Go,” which is part of his new Green Apple’s Foods Co., Sunday, February 16th.
Grisanti is thinking healthy. Each week, he will prepare meals and deliver them to people’s homes. These aren’t frozen chicken-potatoes-and-beans combos. Here’s a sample of his cuisine: “Asian Inspired Wild Salmon Protein Smart Fluffy Coconut Sushi Lime Rice Bowl.”
“It’s a macro nutrient and micro nutrient meal plan,” Grisanti says. “Macro means carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Micro means the natural vitamins in our foods that our bodies need. for an overall balanced diet.”
Grisanti isn’t talking about just cutting out fats. “We need good fats, not bad fats. And the good fats come from nuts. They come from avocados. They come from olive oil, sesame seeds, cashews, tuna fish, salmon, edamame, or walnuts. We’re taking pills for our vitamins when our vitamins are already in our food, and easier for our bodies to digest than a pill.”
Foodies first met Grisanti when he was a server in the old Beale Street location of Ronnie Grisanti & Sons Italian Restaurant, which was owned by his dad, the late Ronnie Grisanti. Judd went on to work at his dad’s restaurant when it moved to 2855 Poplar Avenue. He also worked as chef/owner at Spindini and was owner of Ronnie Grisanti’s Italian Restaurant in Regalia.
Chefs Alex and Judd Grisanti and their dad, the late Ronnie Grisanti, in the early 1990s (Credit: Courtesy of Judd Grisanti)
Judd operates his new business out of a customized commercial kitchen food truck in Laws Hill, Mississippi, which is not far from his farm. “It’s basically a commercial kitchen on wheels,” he says.
As a chef, Grisanti says,“Mentally, we’re always evolving. We’re always learning. We’re always exploring, especially in the culinary world. People call it ‘R and D’ — ‘research and development.’”
Judd came up with the idea for his new venture while recovering from a surgery seven months ago. “During the time that I’ve taken off, I’ve been here at the farm thinking about the paths that I’ve gone down. And wondering, ‘Where is Judd Grisanti going next?’ Which direction am I going to go?”
When he was working in a commercial kitchen in a restaurant, he could make anything he wanted on a whim. “I’ve always had the ingredients at my fingertips.”
But now, he says, “Being out of the restaurant business for seven months and not being in a commercial kitchen, I’m cooking for one now. And going to the grocery store and getting what I need.”
“I would come in tired and worn out physically, and I had to cook something for dinner. It had to be something that had nutritional values to it, so, I could replace the calories I burned and give myself energy for the next day. I learned it’s not just me that has to worry about what they’re having for dinner that night, planning their meals, prepping their meals, and going to find the time to do the shopping and the cooking.”
That’s when he came up with Gourmet to Go. “Fully-prepared, chef-created, well-rounded, nutritional meals. Flare, culture, and the art of cuisine delivered to your doorstep — for a balanced lifestyle.”
“A lot of people don’t have the full information of where all carbs come from. Your body has to have carbs.”
But there are good carbs and bad carbs, he says. “You want to eat carbs like quinoa, lentils, whole grains, sweet potatoes, different types of beans, and whole grain pastas. All those are okay, but you want to keep it high fibers.”
“People ask, ‘Oh why did you go to culinary school?’ I did go to culinary school to learn how to cook a steak or whatever. But,” he says “As chefs, we get lost sometimes in what we’re creating. We can definitely create incredible food that has micro nutrient and macro nutrient values to them rather than just putting out stuff with a lot of fat, heavy cream, butter, and all the stuff we love. Instead of using those ingredients that we would typically go to, there are alternatives. And we just have to put more energy and thought into what we’re doing. And it’s more simplified than what we think.”
Describing his Asian-inspired wild salmon bowl, he says, “It’s baked wild salmon with a home-made hoisin black garlic sauce. And that’s over shredded purple cabbage, shredded carrots, edamame, English cucumbers, shiitake mushrooms topped with fried shallots, furikake, and sriracha aioli.”
Another dish is “The Mediterranean Gyro Greek Chicken Smart Protein Bowl.” This includes quinoa, pearl pasta, and couscous. “I mix those three grains together. And then you have some green with it. More likely kale, if that’s what they wish. And on top you’ll have pickled red onions, English cucumbers, grape tomatoes, feta cheese, and a homemade tzatziki sauce topped with roasted garbanzo beans.”
Mediterranean Gyro Greek Chicken Smart Protein Bowl (Credit: Judd Grisanti)
Each meal comes in three parts. “Your main dish comes in a bowl with sauce or marinade or dressing on the side, along with greens or tomatoes. Minimal assembly. It can be ready in minutes. Microwave six minutes, or in the oven at 375 degrees and it’s ready in 20 minutes. And then you can add your sauce and your fresh herbs and whatever is on the side.”
Eventually, he says, “You’ll be able to pick out your protein, your mix of grains. And then you’ll be able to pick out the veggies you want to go on there. You might want it with lamb or shrimp or whatever. And then we’ll be able to customize it for you.”
His catchline is “Heat, Eat, & Enjoy!!!”
Grisanti says he will change the menu (which offers six dishes) weekly. “I have hundreds of recipes already written.” He also plans to add “some Grisanti menu items,” which are “protein forward.” And he’ll include Grisanti’s roasted chicken lasagna “with the fresh spinach and prosciutto” as well as the shrimp fried diablo.
For now, Grisanti is using his email address, grisanti909@gmail.com, Facebook address, “Judd D. Grisanti,” and Instagram address, “grisanti.restaurant” for orders. “We take orders for the week up until Tuesday night at 10:00. Wednesday, we set out for delivery and we bring it straight to you. There’s no hidden fee. No members fee. Nothing like that. We are just simply a chef providing a service to your door.”
In addition to Gourmet to Go, Judd’s Green Apple’s Co., which he describes as a “full menu line,” will include desserts and various types of snacks and starters, including hummus, and protein-forward desserts “We’re working on things every week. Testing and getting things done.”
Judd’s slogan is “Fork it Up.” “Instead of saying ‘Cheers’ or whatever, it’s like, ‘Fork it Up with Gourmet to Go.’ You can eat good and eat as much as you want. And when it good food it’s actually going to make you feel fuller.You’re getting everything you need. We’re doing these prepared meals to go straight to the consumer. It comes from our kitchen straight to your kitchen. You just eat and enjoy.”
Ja Morant goes up for a layup in a game against the Phoenix Suns on February 11, 2025 (Photo by: Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Memphis Grizzlies edged the Phoenix Suns, 119-112, in Phoenix, Tuesday night. After establishing a strong 36-26 lead in the first quarter, the Grizzlies maintained their advantage, fending off a determined Suns team that fought until the final buzzer. Memphis hasn’t lost consecutive games since January 3-4.
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins credited his team for responding well throughout the game, starting with a strong first quarter, fueled by defense. He noted that they withstood a second-quarter run by the Suns and, despite a tough third quarter, stayed focused and composed, ultimately staying the course as the game tightened to single digits.
“Guys were collected and composed in the timeouts — went out and executed,” Jenkins stated.
He said the team’s victory was due to their ability to make crucial defensive plays and quickly shift into a high-speed offense, especially in the final quarter. He went on to praise the reserves for their role and noted that the Suns’ intense defensive pressure required a sustained effort throughout the game.
Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 26 points, adding seven rebounds and six assists. The performance marked his 19th game this season with 20 or more points.
“Great, now we are starting to realize that when we are out there, when we see guys on the opposing team out there heavy breathing, leaning over, that is when we normally realize it and try to ramp it up,” said Morant when on the luxury of having a fully healthy team.
Morant continued, “We know how we train, how we are conditioned, and it is for 48 minutes. We know it is hard for teams to withstand us pushing the pace, us picking them up full court and being real physical. We just try to wear teams down and at the end of the day go get a win.”
Desmond Bane scored 20 points, shooting 6-of-13, and also contributed 8 rebounds and 4 assists as Memphis improved to 36-17 on the season. The performance extended Bane’s streak of 20-point games to four and marked his 11th in the last 13 games.
Jaren Jackson Jr. recorded a solid all-around performance with 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2 steals. Meanwhile, reserve Brandon Clarke made the most of his 19 minutes, scoring 14 points on 7-of-11 shooting and grabbing 7 rebounds.
Santi Aldama paced the Grizzlies’ bench with 14 points and 5 five rebounds in 23 minutes, shooting 5-of-10 from the field and 4-of-6 from three-point range. Aldama got off to a scorching start, going 4-of-4 from the field in the first quarter, including a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc in the opening 12 minutes.
After the game, Aldama talked about the difference with the team now compared to two months ago. He said, “More experience together — guys stepping up when guys are locked in going into the All-Star break. There’s nothing different. Just playing better and putting the ball in the hoop.”
Up Next
The Grizzlies have a Western Conference showdown against the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday night, marking their final outing before the All-Star break. The late-night matchup is set to tip off at 9:30 p.m. CT.
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey tap hands during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, January 24, 2025. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
On Friday night at FedExForum, the Memphis Grizzlies secured their fifth consecutive win, defeating New Orleans, 139-126, and halting the Pelicans’ four-game winning streak in the process.
Memphis improved to 30-15 on the season and 18-5 at FedExForum.
The Pelicans ended the first half on a high note, going on a 15-2 run to take a 71-62 lead into the break. However, Memphis had other plans in the third period.
The Grizzlies came out scorching in the second half, making their first 14 shots and erupting for 43 points in the third quarter on 17-of-22 shooting. They also dished out a season-best 13 assists in the quarter.
Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 29 points, highlighted by a 15-point outburst in the third quarter. He shot with precision, making 10 of 16 field goals and 5 of 9 three-point attempts and dished out a career-high-tying seven assists.
— Grizzlies On FanDuel Sports Network (@FDSN_Grizzlies) January 25, 2025
Jackson Jr. said he believes the Grizzlies’ three-point shooting “opens it all up” and forces defenses to adjust. He praised teammates Luke Kennard, Jaylen Wells, and Desmond Bane for making smart passes, and also commended Wells for his consistent shooting.
Jackson Jr. credits the Grizzlies’ improved team flow for making Bane’s shots easier and more open. He also praised Kennard’s consistent shooting, noting that when Bane and Kennard are making shots, others contribute with good shooting nights.
Jackson Jr. said effective communication is essential to the Grizzlies’ defense, enabling players to stay alert and make informed decisions. He noted that the team is addressing defensive struggles by communicating loudly and attributed many of these issues to a lack of awareness, rather than a lack of effort.
Kennard had a standout performance, scoring 27 points and dishing out six assists. He shot impressively, converting 10 of 14 field goals and 7 of 9 three-pointers. Notably, Kennard has been on a hot streak from beyond the arc, making 14 of his last 20 three-point attempts over the past two games.
Following the game, the Duke alum shared his thoughts on his recent surge: “When you have the ball in your hands, you have to be even more focused trying to make the right play, being aggressive. And for me, I think Coach (Taylor Jenkins) knows if I have the ball in my hands, especially early in the game, (it) gets me going a little bit — gets me into a rhythm. So credit to Coach for just trusting me in that aspect, getting me going early and getting me involved in the game.”
Kennard recognized Ja Morant and Bane as the team’s primary ball handlers, and said that his focus is on being aggressive without the ball and making smart, aggressive decisions when he does get the opportunity to handle it.
Bane had another phenomenal game, tying his season high with 14 assists and adding 20 points. The performance marked his seventh consecutive game with 20+ points and his fourth double-double of the season. Bane’s consistent scoring and ability to facilitate for his teammates have been key factors in the Grizzlies’ success.
Bane pointed out that the Grizzlies’ newfound proficiency from beyond the arc has made opponents think twice about leaving players like Jaren Jackson Jr., Morant, or himself unguarded: “This creates opportunities for easy scores or open shots when defenses provide help.”
Rookie Zach Edey delivered a notable performance, securing his fifth career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. His well-rounded effort also included three assists, one steal, and two blocks.
Ja Morant goes up for a bucket during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on January 15, 2025. (Photo by: Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Memphis Grizzlies delivered a dominant second-half performance, defeating the San Antonio Spurs 129-115 on Wednesday at Frost Bank Center.
Memphis’ high-powered offense, which averages a league-leading 122.9 points per game, was on full display after a dismal first-half. The Grizzlies also demonstrated their rebounding prowess; they are the second-ranked team in the league with a little over 48 rebounds per game.
It was a tale of two halves, indeed! The Grizzlies trailed 63-51 at halftime but staged an impressive comeback, outscoring San Antonio 78-52 in the second half. The turnaround was sparked by a dominant 43-point third quarter, setting the stage for a much needed win.
Ja Morant had a stellar performance, scoring 21 points, dishing out 12 assists, grabbing four rebounds, and making two steals, all while shooting an impressive 9/13 from the field.
Desmond Bane also delivered a good performance, scoring 21 points on 8/13 shooting, while also contributing three rebounds and two steals. Notably, he scored 16 of his 21 points in the second half, playing a crucial role in the Memphis victory, which improved their record to 26-15 on the season.
Memphis’ bench was instrumental, outscoring the Spurs’ bench 57-37. Santi Aldama led the reserves with 20 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 9/15 from the field. Luke Kennard chipped in with 15 points and nine rebounds, while Jay Huff added 11 points. The Grizzlies’ bench depth and versatility played a crucial role in the victory.
Jaren Jackson Jr. had a rough start, shooting 2-for-11 in the first half, and to make matters worse he had to sit most of the 3rd quarter after picking up his fourth personal foul. However, he turned things around in the fourth quarter, scoring 14 of his 19 points, grabbing six rebounds, and issuing two blocks. The performance was a testament to Jackson’s ability to bounce back from a tough start and make an impact on the game.
Turnovers have been an issue for Memphis all season long, but not Wednesday night. The Grizzlies committed just eight for the game. They had six turnovers before halftime, followed by just two in the third quarter, and remarkably, none in the fourth. They didn’t allow the Spurs to capitalize on any turnovers in the second half.
The Dunk That Was
Morant’s poster dunk on Victor Wembanyama was an incredible moment. Even if it didn’t count towards the final score, it counted for entertainment purposes.The dunk, which happened after a whistle blew, had everyone going wild.
The dunk has been making waves online, with some even calling it the “dunk of the year.” Morant’s ability to make highlight-reel plays is one reason why he’s considered “must-see TV” whenever he’s on the court.
Up Next
The Grizzlies will wrap up their two-game series against the Spurs in San Antonio, and their four-game road trip on Friday, January 17, with a tip-off time of 8:30 p.m. CT.¹
Still want to watch PornHub (and other major porn sites) in Tennessee without an ID check? Here’s how: Download a VPN. (We’ll give you some how-to resources below.)
Okay, a VPN may sound a little too complicated or somehow dark-web-ish or law-breaking or something. You can search for porn on social sites like X or Reddit. Easy peasy. (We’ll give you an example of that below, too.)
You probably already know that PornHub and other major porn sites have gone dark in Tennessee. Go to the PornHub site now and you’ll get only this:
Credit: PornHub
That’s Brazzers star Cherie Deville. The actor is also an adult film advocate and ambassador for others in the industry. In the video, Deville explains why PornHub completely disabled access to its site in Tennessee.
”While safety and compliance are at the forefront of our mission, giving your ID card every time you want to visit an adult platform is not the most effective solution for protecting our users, and in fact, will put children and your privacy at risk,” Deville explains in the video.
“In addition, mandating age verification without proper enforcement gives platforms the opportunity to choose whether or not to comply. As we’ve seen in other states, this just drives traffic to sites with far fewer safety measures in place. Very few sites are able to compare to the robust Trust and Safety measures we currently have in place.”
Deville says the best method to protect children from online pornography is to identify users by their devices and limit access on them. So, instead of PornHub shutting off the entire state of Tennessee, parents could restrict access to the site (and others like it) themselves on their children’s phones, computers, and tablets.
Chief United States District Judge Sheryl Lipman in Memphis agrees. (Or, at least she did in a December 30th ruling.)
Lipman (Credit: United state District Court Western District of Tennessee)
“Ultimately, (Tennessee’s new porn law’s) most glaring flaw is that it is not the least restrictive means of advancing Tennessee’s interest in protecting minors from pornography,” Lipman said. “If there is a less restrictive alternative that would serve the state’s purpose, the state ’must use that alternative.’ [Here, she was quoting from an earlier decision from a lawsuit involving Playboy magazine.]
“Blocking and filtering controls on individual devices are both more effective and less restrictive than the state’s suppression of speech at the source. These applications are more comprehensive than geography-based age restrictions because they prevent children from accessing harmful content no matter where they go, and they cannot be circumvented with a VPN.”
So the GOP-run Tennessee General Assembly’s law is not the most effective way to protect minors from online porn, say a federal judge and an adult film star. Also, Lipman added in her opinion that VPNs are effective ways to skirt Tennessee’s new law and called them ”available, affordable, and effective.”
This technology is available, affordable, and effective.”
Chief United States District Judge Sheryl Lipman
“These programs often come pre-installed on computers and phones, and some are free to download,” Lipman said of VPNs. “Unlike age-verification requirements at the source, parental controls on a device are highly customizable based on the user’s age and sensitivity — they would not prevent adults from accessing protected adult content, but they would prevent minors from accessing it. This technology is available, affordable, and effective.”
How to get a VPN and back to PornHub With No ID
Now, we’re back to VPNs, or “virtual private networks.” So, VPNs encrypt your internet connection and route it through servers in other physical places. Use a VPN, set it up as you like, and websites won’t know you’re in Tennessee (unless you tell them for some reason).
I’m no VPN expert. But the folks at VPNPro definitely are. They have a full run-down on how to get around Tennessee’s new law with a VPN and unlock those website without an ID. Their in-depth process and VPN recommendations are here.
In addition to the VPN work-around, social media is filled with adult content on sites don’t have to collect IDs because Tennessee’s law says more than a third of a website’s content must be porn to trigger the ID law. That being the case, porn that is on, say, X, is still readily available. As of Thursday morning, users could still find adult videos like this one from Deville herself.
Credit: Cherie Deville via XCredit: Cherie Deville via X
No, we’re not going to give you links.
Take note: The U.S. Supreme Court is set to take up a case about a similar law from Texas next week. If it rules the Texas ban unconstitutional, PornHub could again be open for business in Tennessee without requiring an ID.
