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.
Take a look:
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
