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.
