Tag: Desmond Bane

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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 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 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 Uncategorized

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. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Can the Grizzlies Turn Their Season Around?

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) shoots the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) on Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at FedExForum. (Wes Hale/The Memphis Flyer)

The Memphis Grizzlies are undoubtedly the talk of the town lately, and for good reason. With their recent struggles on the court, including a four-game losing streak, and the firing of head coach Taylor Jenkins, there’s been no shortage of speculation and debate among fans and pundits alike. 

There’s no denying that the team has hit a rough patch, managing only two wins in their last 10 outings. As a result, they’ve plummeted from second place in the Western Conference to eighth, with only six games remaining. The slide has put them in a precarious position, where they’re now at risk of being relegated to the play-in tournament.

The Grizzlies are particularly struggling against top-tier opponents, having dropped 12 straight games to teams with a winning record. There’s no doubt Memphis is in the midst of a crisis, with their season seemingly unraveling at the seams. 

Frustration is also mounting among Grizzlies players and fans, as the team’s promising season has taken a disappointing turn, and Tuomas Iisalo’s tenure as interim coach has gotten off to a winless start.

Iisalo pointed out after the 134-125 loss to the Warriors that the team failed to effectively communicate and execute their game plan, and he assured that they would improve in these areas moving forward.

Iisalo acknowledged that the losses provided little comfort, but highlighted the team’s resilience, tenacity, and unity in the face of a physically and emotionally exhausting schedule.

“You can sense they are hurting,” Iisalo said. “Everybody is hurting in that locker room. It hurts when you really put yourself out in life and you come up a little bit short. That’s life — that’s sports. That’s the natural growing pains and I don’t think it’s something you need to run from.”

Yes, it’s painful to fall short despite giving your best effort. And it’s definitely an inherent part of life. Embracing and learning from disappointment is crucial; rather than trying to escape, you have to own up to it. 

Iisalo remains optimistic that the team’s strong work ethic, intensity, and unity will lead to success. Despite time being limited, he believes the team’s solid foundation provides a stable base for growth.

To improve, the Grizzlies need to rectify simple mistakes — particularly on defense — and leverage their offensive strengths more effectively.

Prior to the All-Star break, Memphis boasted a formidable defense, ranking seventh in the league. Their defensive performance has plummeted to 20th since the break. This significant decline is mirrored on the offensive side, where they dropped from fifth to 16th over the same period.

The bottom line is that the team needs to find a way to improve and secure wins. Sluggish starts to games are significant hurdles to overcome.

The Grizzlies possess a tantalizing blend of talent, spearheaded by the dynamic trio of Ja Morant, Desmond Bane, and Jaren Jackson Jr. But the team’s maddening inconsistency has become a recurring theme, leaving many to ponder what’s next for the team. 

Morant, the Grizzlies’ star guard, admits that the team has been feeling the pressure lately, particularly after playing three games in just four days. He acknowledged the mental and physical toll it has taken on the team, and emphasized the need for a change in mentality, especially when playing on the road. He’s calling for the team to “flip the script” and secure some much-needed wins.

Jackson Jr. stressed the need for urgency, citing the in-locker room display that tracks the conference standings in real-time, serving as a constant reminder of the team’s position and the importance of staying focused.

For the Grizzlies, it’s not just about the standings, but about showing heart and making the most of every opportunity. As the season winds down, Grizzlies fans are hoping for a return to form and a resolute playoff drive that represents the team’s authentic basketball identity: All Heart, Grit, Grind! 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Post-Jenkins Era Begins with Loss to Lakers

Desmond Bane goes up for a layup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at FedExForum (Photo by: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, 134-127, on Saturday night only added to the shock of head coach Taylor Jenkins’ abrupt firing on Friday morning. Jenkins, who had been with the team for six seasons, was let go despite the Grizzlies’ 44-29 record, which has them tied with the Lakers for the 4/5 seeds in the Western Conference.

The decision to fire Jenkins was made by Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman, who cited “urgency” as a core principle of the team. Kleiman stated that he came to the conclusion that firing Jenkins was in the best interest of the team. 

Jenkins’ firing sent shockwaves through the NBA, with many questioning the timing and reasoning behind the decision. The Grizzlies named assistant coach Tuomas Iisalo as the interim head coach. 

Prior to the game Iisalo expressed shock and surprise at Jenkins’ sudden firing, stating he had no inkling it was coming. He then accepted the role of interim head coach and has been scrambling to get organized and adjust to the new situation. 

The Grizzlies’ first-quarter struggles remained unchanged despite the coaching change, as they trailed the Lakers 39-28.

Iisalo attributed the loss to a poor first half, citing the team’s failure to execute the basics. He acknowledged the Lakers’ potent trio, but emphasized that the Grizzlies’ slow start was the decisive factor. Iisalo stressed the need for improvement, particularly with back-to-back games looming.

“The goal of the game is to win, obviously,” said Iisalo. “So we can’t be happy with our performances — but it was encouraging to me after that lackluster start, we did a lot of things a lot better in the second half.” 

Iisalo continued: “We had better on-ball pressure — we did better in our pick and roll defense. We did not allow the opposition to get easy offensive rebounds. We applied friction, as we like to say, in the full court, to wear down their best players, and not just allow them to jog into their spots and get the exact shots.” 

Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies, scoring 29 points to go along with six assists, four rebounds, and two steals.

Jaren Jackson Jr. shook off early foul trouble to deliver a strong performance, scoring 24 points on an efficient 8-of-13 shooting.

Following a six-game absence, Ja Morant returned to the lineup and nearly recorded a triple-double, posting 22 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds.

“Anything we want — we just got to lock back in,” Morant said when asked about what the team can still accomplish this year. “It’s not like we are eliminated from the playoffs,” Morant added. 

Morant emphasized the need for focus, communication, and teamwork to improve performance. He highlighted the importance of reading the game, making smart decisions, and playing with effort, while also stressing the need to correct simple mistakes and communicate effectively with teammates.

Zach Edey made a notable impact in his return to the starting lineup, contributing 14 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and swatting three blocks in 26 minutes of play.

Off the bench, Scotty Pippen Jr. provided a spark, scoring 16 points and dishing out five assists.

The Grizzlies continue a three-game homestand, hosting the Boston Celtics at FedExForum on Monday, March 31, at 6:30 p.m., with the game set to air on TNT.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Leave Jazz Singing the Blues

Scotty Pippen Jr. dribbles the ball in a game against the Utah Jazz on March 26, 2025. (Photo by: Jamie Sabau/NBAE via Getty Images)

 The Memphis Grizzlies ended a three-game skid by routing the Utah Jazz 140-103, Tuesday night, capping off a 4-0 season series sweep.

Despite yet another sluggish start and trailing by as many as 14 points in the first half, the Grizzlies narrowed the deficit to 65-64 by halftime.

With a 41-17 third-quarter surge, Memphis took command of the game and improved to 44-28 for the season. The team now holds a slim half-game lead over the Lakers for the fourth seed in the Western Conference.

The Grizzlies recorded 38 assists, outscored Utah 27-8 in points off turnovers, and dominated the boards 52-28, including a 17-4 advantage on the offensive glass. Additionally, Memphis had a 25-0 edge in second-chance points and outscored Utah 76-38 in the second half.

After the game, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins acknowledged Jazz’s strong start, noting that Memphis lacked physicality and resistance in the first quarter and early second quarter, allowing Utah to get easy shots. However, he expressed relief that the Grizzlies were able to “weather the storm.”

Jenkins added: “We were getting what we needed on the offensive side, even though we were missing a couple shots there. But we made a great run at the end of the second quarter, and then just our resistance and physicality on the defensive side in the third quarter was so much better.”

“That allowed us to get out — our fast break numbers were better,” Jenkins continued. “We ended up with 38 assists. We were just playing with a different level of energy, because our defense sparked us.”

Desmond Bane led Memphis in scoring with 21 points, adding six assists and four rebounds in 29 minutes of action.

Jaren Jackson Jr. contributed 19 points on 8-of-12 shooting, while also grabbing three rebounds and blocking two shots, before exiting with an injury in the third quarter. He rejoined the team on the bench in the fourth quarter.

In a notable defensive stretch, the Grizzlies held the Jazz to just a single field goal for over seven minutes following Jackson Jr.’s exit from the game.

Scotty Pippen Jr. delivered a strong all-around effort, tallying 16 points, 10 assists, and five rebounds. Rookie Jaylen Wells had a solid performance, scoring 10 points, grabbing six rebounds, and dishing out five assists.

The Grizzlies’ bench dominated their Jazz counterparts, outscoring them 65-39 while also controlling the glass with 29 rebounds and distributing 13 assists.

Zach Edey, Vince Williams Jr., and Jay Huff formed a potent bench trio, as all three players scored 15 points each.

The Grizzlies will conclude their five-game road trip on Thursday against the league-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, who boast an impressive 60-12 record. OKC currently holds a 3-0 advantage in the season series against Memphis.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Blaze Past Heat

Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane shaking hands during the game against the Miami Heat on Saturday, March 15, 2025 at FedExForum (Photo by: Grant Burke/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies handed the Miami Heat their seventh consecutive loss, cruising to a 125-91 victory Saturday at FedExForum.

Rebounding from a disappointing loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday, the Grizzlies surged ahead with a 21-9 second-quarter run, establishing a 63-48 halftime lead. Their momentum continued into the fourth quarter, where they expanded their advantage to as many as 32 points with 10:51 remaining.

Memphis shot an impressive 55% from the field and dominated the paint, scoring a season-high-allowed 72 points against the Heat. This marked the most points in the paint conceded by the Heat since 2008, when they allowed 76. 

The Grizzlies moved to 24-10 when recording 60+ paint points.

Following the convincing win, Memphis Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins expressed pride in his team’s well-rounded performance.

He said, “I told the guys afterwards, this is the urgency we have to play with on both sides of the floor, not just defensively. I thought we executed our game plan for the most part, really, really well. Guys were active, they were disciplined. And then I thought our quick decision making was there on the offensive side, we played with a little bit of pace, ball movement, and multiple guys with multiple assists. Definitely an impressive win.”

Jenkins added, “The bench guys coming in, Scotty (Pippen Jr.giving us a boost — Lamar (Stevens) gave us a boost. BC, (Brandon Clarke) Cam (Spencer) those guys did a phenomenal job.” 

“Obviously, Des (Desmond Bane) was high level, almost a triple double,” Jenkins continued. “I thought he set a tone, with his defensive rebounding, defensive activity. And obviously it’s unselfish play-making on top of his scoring. So definitely the version that we’re going to need more consistently. And the challenge is can we take it on the road for the longest road trip of the season.”

The Grizzlies were without Ja Morant due to shoulder soreness on a second night of a back-to-back. 

Following the Grizzlies’ loss to Cleveland on Friday, Jaren Jackson Jr., who is working his way back from an ankle injury indicated that it would likely take a few games for him to get back to form. 

Just one day later, Jackson Jr. turned in a resounding performance, leading the Grizzlies with 31 points on an impressive 72.2% shooting (13-of-18), to go along with six rebounds and two blocked shots.

Bane stated that Jackson Jr.’s strong work ethic allows him to bounce back so quickly.

After a disappointing showing against the Cavaliers, Bane delivered a standout effort, falling just shy of a triple-double with 22 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists, and two steals, while connecting on 4-of-5 three-point attempts.

Bane downplayed his poor outing on Friday, saying “it’s basketball” expressing confidence in his work and that he made no adjustments. 

Up Next

Memphis is set to begin a five-game road swing, visiting Sacramento, Portland, the LA Clippers, Utah, and Oklahoma City from March 17 to 27.

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Uncategorized

Grizzlies Win Fourth Straight Game

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. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Morant, Bane Propel Grizzlies to Win Over Pelicans

Ja Morant goes up for a shot during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on March 9, 2025. (Photo by: Layne Murdock Jr./NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies edged out the undermanned New Orleans Pelicans 107-104 in a closely contested matchup Sunday night.

The Grizzlies are gaining momentum, having won two consecutive games after a dismal 1-4 performance on their recent 5-game homestand. The slump caused them to drop from second to fourth seed in the Western Conference.

Memphis dominated on the glass against New Orleans, grabbing 57 rebounds and scoring 24 second-chance points versus New Orleans’ 39 rebounds and 11 second-chance points.

The Grizzlies faced a 65-57 halftime deficit after surrendering 37 points in the second quarter. However, they regrouped and limited the Pelicans to just 15 points in the third quarter, seizing an 89-79 advantage heading into the final period.

Ja Morant had a standout performance, leading Memphis with 32 points to go along with six assists, four rebounds, and three steals. Morant has now scored 30-plus points in his last two games. His season average is 21.2 points per game.

In a post-game interview with FanDuel Sports Network’s Rob Fischer, Ja Morant noted that despite the win, there are still areas where his team needs to improve.

 “Just came out with more energy,” Morant said of the third quarter difference. “We just once again man — our first half, we just be giving up easy baskets, not really engaged, locked in defensively, and then it takes a little wake up call, which is unacceptable for us. We got to be locked in as soon as the ball goes up in the air and so we won’t be in situations like this.”

Morant also acknowledged a slight improvement in the team’s defense, but emphasized that there is still significant room for growth and that they cannot be satisfied with their defensive performance over the last two games.

Desmond Bane put on a show, falling just shy of a triple-double with 30 points, nine rebounds, eight assists, and two steals, as Memphis improved  to 40-24 on the season. 

Morant sang the praises of his backcourt partner, Bane.

“Very impressive — but I know the work he put in. I know the situations and the talks we have with each other. He’s built for it. And he’s showing it, night in and night out, as you saw tonight. 

Morant continued, “He filled up the stat sheet. I think it was a couple off, triple-double again and that’s big-time play for us, a will to win. We have a guy like that.part of leading the charge and everybody else follows. So we just got to continue to keep grinding, keep going, keep getting better and just play hard.”

Off the bench Scotty Pippen Jr. added 12 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. 

The Grizzlies will host the Phoenix Suns Monday night at FedExForum, kicking off a four-game homestand. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. CT.