In their first meeting of the season, and the Grizzlies’ first game of NBA Cup group play, the Golden State Warriors defeated Memphis 123-118, making the Grizzlies 1-2 on their three-game West Coast road trip.
The Emirates NBA Cup is the official name given to the in-season tournament that was added last season. Teams from each conference are split into groups of five, and the tournament games themselves are part of the regular season schedule.
The Grizzlies are part of West Group C, which also includes the Dallas Mavericks, Denver Nuggets, New Orleans Pelicans, and Golden State Warriors. A more in-depth breakdown of the tournament can be found here.
On to this game:
Memphis struggled mightily from beyond the arc in this matchup, going just 7 of 42 from three-point range. Jaylen Wells (2 of 6) was the only Grizzlies’ starter to hit a shot from long range, while Zach Edey (2 of 2) had the best three-point shooting percentage overall.
This game gave us the return of Desmond Bane, who had been sidelined since suffering a right oblique strain in the game against Brooklyn on October 30, as well as the season debut of Vince Williams Jr., who has been rehabbing a left tibia stress injury.
Star point guard Ja Morant remains sidelined with a posterior hip subluxation suffered in the November 6 home game against the Los Angeles Lakers. According to the Grizzlies’ medical staff, Morant’s status is listed as week to week.
Jaren Jackson Jr. remains this team’s dominant offensive player, and he scored a game-high 32 points, to got with six rebounds and two blocks against the Warriors.
Jaylen Wells was the only other starter to score in double digits, finishing the night with 16 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
From the bench:
Desmond Bane put up 18 points, six rebounds, and two assists in his return.
Zach Edey contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, one steal, and one block.
Who Got Next?
The Grizzlies return home Sunday to face off against the Denver Nuggets. Tip-off is at 5 PM CST.
