Tag: Ja Morant

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Get Payback Against Brooklyn

Photo by: Sharon Brown

The Memphis Grizzlies finally got their lick back against the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night at FedExForum. The Grizzlies snapped their losing streak against the Nets, taking the final of the season’s three-game matchup, 135-119. Brooklyn had won the first two meetings. 

“The biggest thing was just [we were] locked in on the game plan,” said Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins on the biggest difference from playing the Nets earlier in the season. 

“We had way too many mistakes with our game plan. We learned a lot in the first game, and then we played them less than a week later up in Brooklyn, and we knew the game plan, we talked about it, watched the film, broke it down, all that, and we didn’t execute it.”

Jenkins concluded, “Maybe we just needed a couple extra weeks. I would give the Nets a lot of credit. They helped us a lot with our one-on-one defense and our shell defense, and they still made it tough tonight. When we made a mistake, they made you pay, but when we kind of dictated where our offense went, I thought we benefited.”

Memphis’ high-powered offense has fueled an 11-game streak of scoring 115+ points, matching the second-longest such mark in franchise history. The surge has led to a 10-1 record in those games, including a current four-game winning streak and a season-best six straight home victories.

The Grizzlies’ impressive scoring depth was on display against Brooklyn as four players reached the 20-point mark. 

Ja Morant’s stellar play continued, as he notched his seventh double-double of the season, including 28 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds. The Grizzlies improved to 18-8 on the season, thanks in part to Morant’s 16-point outburst in the second quarter — a season-high for him and the highest scoring quarter by any Memphis player this season.

Morant really didn’t want to lose to the Nets for the third time. After the game he recalled the difference from the earlier two meetings against Brooklyn: “Our fight — (we) have been coming out ready to play. I feel like [Desmond Bane] set the tone for us from the jump, and I feel like that’s what we were missing. Second half, we played a little slow in both of those [earlier] games when they went on their runs; it was allowing them to continue to score the ball and slow us down offensively. Tonight, I feel like we were more locked in, paid attention to detail. 

Morant continued, “Obviously, we know we owed them two for real, but I felt like it was on purpose that they were our matchup after the in-season tournament, and it’s what we needed. Obviously, you lose to a team twice, you get another chance at it. It’s kind of refreshing for us to come and get a win. It’s something to be proud of. You lose to a team; you always want to get your lick back.”

The Grizzlies’ balanced attack saw Bane scoring 21 points and dishing out eight assists, and Jaren Jackson Jr. adding 20 points, seven rebounds, and a season-high five steals.

Santi Aldama delivered a strong performance off the bench, tallying 20 points and grabbing six rebounds, which pushed him past the 1,000-rebound threshold for his career.

Everything is clicking for the Grizzlies right now but Bane has the right mindset going forward:  “We have to stay even keeled, it’s a long season,” Bane cautioned. “Adversity is going to hit us at some point, but we have to stay true to what we’ve built, regardless of the results.”

Tid-bits

Prior to tipoff, Jaylen Wells received the Western Conference Rookie of the Month award for his outstanding play in October and November. Notably, Wells is the first Grizzlies rookie to receive this recognition since Ja Morant in the 2019-20 season. 

Up Next

The Grizzlies are heading to Los Angeles to face off against the Lakers on Sunday, December 15. The game is scheduled to tip off at 8:30 p.m. CST at the Crypto.com Arena.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama Lead the Way in Rout of Wizards

Jaren Jackson Jr. battles for the opening possession. (Photo: NBAE/Getty Images.)

On the second night of back-to-back games, the Memphis Grizzlies decimated the Washington Wizards without Ja Morant and Desmond Bane.

With a final score of 140-112, the Grizzlies emerged from their weekend road trip 2-0.

After a hard-fought win against the Boston Celtics in which he scored a season-high 31 points, Ja Morant sat out against the Wizards with back soreness.

Expect Memphis to continue its cautionary approach to managing Morant’s injuries.

But even without two of their best players, the Grizzlies looked poised, prepared, and just plain better than their opponents, largely thanks to their incredible depth.

Scotty Pippen Jr. and Marcus Smart moved into the starting lineup, but even without them, the bench outscored the starters 76-64.

The Wizards were led on both ends of the court by a familiar face — Lithuanian big man Jonas Valančiūnas, who played for the Grizzlies from 2019-2021.

Despite Valanciunas’ 20-point, 14-rebound double-double, the Wizards had no answer for the Grizzlies. Washington held a two-point lead for a grand total of 47 seconds in the first quarter.

Memphis was led offensively by Jaren Jackson Jr., who fielded 21 points, four rebounds, and four blocks on 8 of 15 overall shooting and 3 of 8 from beyond the arc — all in a mere 16:46 minutes of playing time.  

Scotty Pippen Jr. looked right at home back in the starting lineup, delivering 14 points, 12 assists, and 2 steals on 6 of 11 shooting from the field.

Marcus Smart was similarly at ease moving from the bench unit to the starters, putting up 13 points and three rebounds while shooting 5 of 8 from the field and 3 of 6 from three-point range.

Brandon Clarke was coming off his best game of the season against the Celtics but still had a respectable showing against the Wizards. He finished the night with 12 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Jay Huff and Santi Aldama celebrate during the game against the Washington Wizards. (Photo: NBAE/Getty Images.)

Santi Aldama was the leading scorer off the bench with 19 points, seven rebounds, five assists, one steal, and three blocks while shooting 7 of 11 overall and a team-best 3 of 5 from beyond the arc.

Reserve center Jay Huff finished the night with 17 points and three rebounds while rookie shooting guard Cam Spencer added 14 points, four rebounds, and five assists on 4 of 8 shooting from the field and 2 of 4 from three-point range in his third ever NBA game.

We even got a brief appearance from Yuki Kawamura in the fourth quarter:

Who Got Next?

The next two games are recent additions to the schedule, among other teams that have also been eliminated from the NBA Cup: Friday, December 13th, at home against the Brooklyn Nets, with a 7 p.m. CST tip-off time, and Sunday, December 15th, on the road against the Los Angeles Lakers, tipping off at 8:30 p.m. CST.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies End Decade-Long Skid in Beantown

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies at the free-throw line during the game against the Boston Celtics on December 7, 2024. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

The drought is over. The Memphis Grizzlies ended a decade-long losing streak in Boston by defeating the Celtics 127-121, Saturday night. It was the Grizzlies’ first win in Boston since November 27, 2013.

In a testament to their resilience, the Grizzlies overcame the daunting challenge of TD Garden, one of the NBA’s most hostile environments. Memphis has won eight of its last nine games. 

The Grizzlies’ stifling defense proved too much for the Celtics, who were held to 40 percent shooting and 30 percent from beyond the arc (18-60). Memphis’ defensive game plan was particularly effective in limiting the Celtics’ star players, with Jayson Tatum struggling to a season-low 28.6% shooting and Jaylen Brown coughing up a team-high five turnovers.

Memphis outscored the Celtics 64-40 in the paint. The Grizzlies had 22 fast break points while Boston had just four.

Shaking off a tough night against the Kings in his previous game, Ja Morant delivered a clutch performance, with a near triple-double: 31 points, nine rebounds, and nine assists.

And as the old folks would say, he had pep in his step. 

Jaren Jackson Jr. was also on fire, doing a little bit of everything to secure the victory. He had a stellar fourth quarter, going 6 of 9 from the field to score 14 of his 27 points. Jackson Jr.’s impact was more than just scoring; he also contributed nine rebounds, four blocks, and three steals, showcasing his remarkable defensive prowess and all-around talent.

Brandon Clarke turned in a standout performance, contributing 18 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and two steals while shooting 9-of-11 from the field. Desmond Bane also played a key role down the stretch, scoring nine of his 14 points in the final period to help the Grizzlies improve to 16-8 on the season. 

In his first game back at TD Garden since the 2023 trade that sent him to Memphis, Marcus Smart had a tough shooting night, going 1-of-11 from the floor for three points in 19 minutes of action. But the only thing that mattered was a win. 

Smart entered the game with 8:50 remaining in the first quarter, the Celtics crowd erupted into a standing ovation, prompting Smart to pause and wave in appreciation of the warm reception.

Up Next

The Grizzlies will take on the Washington Wizards tonight at 6:00 p.m. CT at Capital One Arena. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports Uncategorized

Grizzlies’ Win Streak Snapped in Big D

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies dribbles the ball during the game against the Dallas Mavericks during the Emirates NBA Cup game on December 3, 2024. (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)


As the Emirates NBA Cup group stage came to a close, the Dallas Mavericks ended the Memphis Grizzlies’ six-game winning streak with a 121-116 win at American Airlines Center on Tuesday night. 

The Mavericks improved to 14-8, while Memphis fell to 14-8. 

The Grizzlies went up by as many as 15 points early in the fourth quarter, but they were unable to take advantage of Dallas’ blunders and ultimately lost the game. But let’s not get it twisted: The main reason for the Grizzlies’ fourth-quarter collapse was the free-throw disparity.  

The Mavericks’ 44 free throws (compared to Memphis’ 14) were the game-changer. It’s unheard of to have a free-throw differential of 30. In the final period, Dallas went to the line 26 times while the Grizzlies managed to go just three times. It was a 26-3 free-throw advantage in the fourth quarter. 

The Mavericks’ 23-free-throw edge in was the most lopsided fourth quarter disparity in the NBA since 2015 according to ESPN Stats & Info. 

Plus, Memphis couldn’t find a rhythm and went eight of 23 from the field and a dismal 2 of 10 from the three-point line in the final quarter. The Grizzlies’ offense stalled in the final three minutes, scoring just five points while making only two of nine shots, allowing the Mavericks to pull away with an 18-5 run. Dallas won the period, 39-21. 

The final period took a whopping 42 minutes to finish. 

Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with a season-best 31 points. Desmond Bane added 19 points, Jaren Jackson Jr. chipped in 16 points and seven rebounds, and Santi Aldama provided a spark off the bench with 15 points and eight rebounds.

Weird coincidence 

Memphis defeated the Mavericks in preseason, 121-116 on October 4, 2024 in Dallas. 

Up Next

The Grizzlies are gearing up to host the Sacramento Kings at FedExForum this Thursday, December 5, at 7 p.m. CT.

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Dynamic Duo Delivers: Morant, Jackson Power Grizzlies to NBA Cup Win

Ja Morant after Grizzlies 120-109 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, November 29, 2024. (Photo credit: @memgrizz on X)

With a 120-109 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans at FedExForum on Friday, the Memphis Grizzlies extended their winning streak to five games, the team’s longest since March 2023. 

It was their first-ever win in the Emirates NBA Cup after a previous record of 0-6. 

Memphis moved to six games above .500, boasting a 13-7 record and a 6-1 mark in their last seven contests.

The Grizzlies remain formidable at FedExForum, where they’ve won four straight and own a 9-3 record this season.

In his first NBA Cup group play appearance, Ja Morant led the Grizzlies with 27 points (10-18 FG, 7-7 FT), seven assists and three steals. Morant consistently proves why he’s the most electrifying player in the NBA, treating fans to a nightly spectacle of athleticism and skill.

Next up was Jaren Jackson Jr., with 23 points (9-18 FG, 5-5 FT), a season-tying eight boards, and two blocked shots. 

With an impressive line of 22.2 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.8 blocks, 1.3 assists, and 1.3 steals in 28.3 minutes per game while shooting 51.6 percent from the floor, the 25-year-old is well on his way to a career-best campaign.

In their last two games together, a clear pattern has emerged: Morant sparks the Grizzlies in the first half; Jackson Jr. seals the deal in the second half.

And there’s this: 

“It’s great that Ja [Morant] sets a tone when we talk about our pace,” said Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins, when asked about the Morant and Jackson Jr. dynamic. “When he’s a driver of that, we get guys running without the ball. We get kick-aheads, we get early lobs. We get drive, kick-swings or swing-swings off of his early attacks.”

Jenkins continued, “Credit to the Pelicans. [They] had a pretty good game plan against Jaren [Jackson Jr.]. He couldn’t really get to some spots on the floor. They showed double teams. He had one good kick out and then another crowded one. It took him maybe a minute to get in the flow. I’m glad in the second half he turned it up.”

Off the bench, Santi Aldama added 20 points (8-9 FG, 3-3 3P, 1-2 FT), six rebounds and four assists. 

The Grizzlies reserves have been critical to the team’s success early in the season. Memphis’ bench is second in the association in scoring this season. Over the past two games, they have outscored opponents 118-79.

On the Horizon 

In the last game of their four-game home stand on Sunday, December 1, the Memphis Grizzlies will host the Indiana Pacers at 2:30 p.m.

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Beyond the Arc Sports Uncategorized

Ja Is Back! Morant’s Return Sparks Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) dunks the ball against the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half at FedExForum on Nov 25, 2024. (Wes Hale Photo)

After an eight-game injury absence, the Memphis Grizzlies saw an instant benefit from Ja Morant’s return. In the Grizzlies’ 123-98 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers, Monday night, Morant had an outstanding game, scoring 22 points and dishing out 11 assists.

After the win, Morant reflected on his return, saying, “I felt good, I played good.”

Several highlight-reel plays demonstrated that Morant’s return to the lineup was a smooth one. He showed great team chemistry by setting up Jaren Jackson Jr. for an alley-oop and dishing a behind-the-back pass to Brandon Clarke.

And we can’t forget his out-of-nowhere dunk. 

Before his injury, Morant was becoming the go-to offensive catalyst for the Grizzlies, with averages of 20.6 points, 9.1 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game. With his return, the team’s energy and dynamic seemed to be revitalized, leading to an increase in offensive speed. His exceptional playmaking skills not only elevate his own game but also create opportunities for teammates to excel.

The win over the Blazers propelled Memphis from seventh to fifth place in the wild, wild Western Conference standings.

The Grizzlies extended their winning streak to three games, matching their longest streak of the season. They’ve also won four of their last five games, showcasing their growing momentum.

Morant’s influence on the game was a testament to his return to form. “Just attacking my return process,” Morant said after the game. “The ramp up. Making sure I’m in rhythm when I’m out there.”

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins praised Morant’s return. “He works his tail off, throughout the return-to-play process,” said Jenkins. “He loves this game. He misses being out there. I think I said it to someone before the game – his engagement, even when he’s out, you all don’t get to see the work that he’s putting in.”

Jenkins added: “This past week was some of the best work I’d seen from him … His engagement with his teammates, his voice in the locker room, film sessions, and on the sidelines — he was chomping at the bit to get out there. He and I were talking on the side saying, ‘What’s this going to look like in two weeks from now?’ We were talking two weeks ago about the things he was doing well, what he can correct, what he can get better at, where the team’s head space is at, what we have to do better just as a team … He was translating that to the guys throughout the game. He was just locked in the last three-ish weeks.”

“He loves the game — he put in the work,” Jenkins said. “And this is no shock — the impact he made with the pace of play. I thought he did a phenomenal job on [Anfernee] Simons defensively. He held him to five points. His point of attack defensively definitely set a tone for us as well tonight.”

Jackson Jr. powered through a slow start to post 21 points, with 12 coming in the 4th quarter, while shooting 66.7% from the field. 

The 25-year-old big man emphasized the importance of versatility, saying that a player can’t rely on just one skill. Instead, being effective requires a mix of different abilities, such as posting up, driving, and shooting from outside. This versatility also allows for more energy and activity on defense.

“It felt more like a playoff atmosphere, I was loving it,” said Jackson Jr. on the energy inside FedExForum. 

Santi Aldama secured a career-high 17 rebounds and 13 points (6-12 FG, 1-1 3P), marking his sixth double-double of the season. Aldama has achieved three double-doubles in his last four games.

With their two-time All-Star back in the lineup, the Grizzlies are well-positioned to make a playoff push. However, to make a deep playoff run, Morant’s health is crucial. After navigating earlier season challenges with injuries and inconsistencies, the team’s success hinges on Morant’s ability to stay healthy.

Next Up

The Grizzlies will host the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, November 27, at FedExForum. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 PM CST. To make the game even more appealing, the first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive a City Edition Scarf.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Topple Nuggets

Jaren Jackson Jr. at the free-throw line in a game against the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, November 17, 2024 (Photo by: Sharon Brown)

Jaren Jackson Jr. continues to shine for the Memphis Grizzlies, leading the team in scoring for the fifth consecutive game with 20 points, and adding six rebounds and three blocks to help secure an impressive 105-90 win over the Denver Nuggets, Sunday. Jackson Jr. finished the game with a plus-minus of +15. 

The performance was the latest in a streak of impressive games, including 32 points against the Golden State Warriors on November 15, and 29 points against the Los Angeles Lakers on November 13. Jackson also had a standout game against the Washington Wizards on November 8, scoring 39 points.

Rookie Jaylen Wells added 15 points and Desmond Bane recorded his fifth career double-double with 11 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists. It was the Grizzlies’ fourth straight home victory, putting them at 5-2 on the season at FedExForum.

A pivotal 14-1 surge in the second quarter transformed a narrow Memphis lead into a double-digit advantage, with the Grizzlies outscoring Denver 27-18 in the quarter. 

The Grizzlies achieved their sixth 30-assist game this season with 31 against the Nuggets. Ranked third in league assists per game, Memphis converted 31 of its 41 field goals from assists, and showcased balanced playmaking, with five players recording at least four assists.

Denver, the league’s second-ranked team in assists, was held to a season-low-tying 23 assists. The Nuggets were without MVP Nikola Jokic for the second straight game due to personal reasons. 

What They Said

What Vince Williams Jr. had to say after the game: 

On returning to play since injury:

“It’s decent right now. I can’t really say I’m in; can’t really say I’m out, but I’m just trying to figure it out and take things day by day. I’m working with training staff, trying to see what’s going on with my body. … I’m having fun being out there on the court again.”

On his perspective of not starting: 

“Injuries happen, so I’m just trying to battle that right now. And then, it’s just about my team winning, so I’ll do whatever to help my team win.”

On passing the ball:

“I like to give my teammates the ball. I feel like they knock down shots for me. I kind of know where they want the ball at certain times. I missed Santi [Aldama] twice today, so I’ll make it up to him.”

Update on Ja Morant 

During pregame availability, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said Morant was still week to week due to right hip (subluxation and pelvic muscle strains). He said the 25-year-old will have imaging done soon.

However on X (formerly known as Twitter), Morant provided an update on his own. 

Up Next

The Grizzlies will take on the Nuggets again at FedExForum on Tuesday, November 19, at 7 p.m. CT, in their second Emirates NBA Cup Group Play matchup.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies’ Win Streak Halted in Brooklyn

Zach Edey goes up for a hook shot on November 4, 2024 in a game against the Brooklyn Nets (Photo by: Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies’ Monday night matchup didn’t go as planned, ending in a 106-104 defeat to the Brooklyn Nets, who secured a two-game sweep of the season-series.

The Grizzlies dominated inside, outscoring Brooklyn 66-48 in the paint, but the Nets countered with a strong outside game, hitting 13 three-pointers to Memphis’ eight.

Zach Edey had a stellar performance, scoring 25 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and blocking four shots. He made history as the first rookie since Hakeem Olajuwon (1984) to achieve 25+ points, 10+ rebounds, and 4+ blocks on 90% shooting. 

Additionally, Edey became the first Memphis rookie since Marc Gasol (2009) to record consecutive double-doubles in points and rebounds.

Ja Morant added 25 points, nine assists and five rebounds as Memphis dropped to 4-4 on the season. 

Again, Morant showcased his thrilling skills, delivering Ja-dropping plays that quickly spread across social media, solidifying his reputation as the NBA’s most electrifying player.

NBA Communications announced on X (formerly Twitter), “Ja Morant’s two acrobatic layups from last night’s Grizzlies-Nets game have generated 161M video views (and counting) across NBA social media. Each play stands out as the most-viewed video on NBA platforms this season.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. struggled from the field at times but made plays on both sides of the ball late that put Memphis in a position to possibly win the game. 

He ended up with 15 points off of 5-of-11 from the field, including 3-5 from beyond the arc, while adding five rebounds and two blocked shots. 

Memphis will welcome the Los Angeles Lakers to FedExForum on Wednesday, November 6, at 7 p.m. CT, kicking off a two-game homestand.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Morant’s Masterful Performance Powers Grizzlies Past Bucks

Santi Aldama #7, Ja Morant #12, and Jaylen Wells #0 of the Memphis Grizzlies high-five during the game against the Milwaukee Bucks on October 31, 2024. (Photo: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

With a 122–99 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday inside FedExForum, the Memphis Grizzlies completed their four-game homestand on a high note.

The Grizzlies showed a lot of grit and perseverance against Milwaukee after a lackluster showing against the Brooklyn Nets on Wednesday night. 

Ja Morant delivered an electrifying performance by unleashing his trademark WTF-inducing plays. 

The Murray State standout reaffirmed his superstar status as he put on a masterclass against the Bucks with 26 points, 14 assists, and 10 rebounds. He messed around and got his 12 career triple-double and, like Ice Cube, I can hear him say, “Today was a good day.”

With his 20+ points, 8+ rebounds, and 9+ assists stats at halftime, Morant joined just five other players since the 1996–97 season. Over the course of the team’s back-to-back games, Morant racked up 40 points, 18 boards, and 25 assists. This season, Morant has played in five games and recorded four double-doubles.

“Just staying aggressive, playing free, being Ja [Morant],” stated the two-time All-Star on his playmaking as the Grizzlies improved to 3-3 on the season.

“Nah, I play free — with me, you’re going to deal with turnovers,” Morant said on taking care of the ball. “I tried to throw a lob off the glass — if Zach [Edey] catches it, it’s not a turnover. Even if it is, I don’t care. It’s the right play. Me and him do it in practice all the time. I’m just going to play free and always try to make the right play.”

He continued, “Me and him do it at practice and in 5-on-0. So yeah, I’m just going to play free. I’m always trying to make the right play. It’s not like I’m going down trying to turn the ball over. So, some of them, you just have to deal with. Obviously, you can clean some of them up, but hey, a lot of stuff comes with Ja.”

Regarding the team’s priorities in terms of player rotation and the significance of keeping him or Jaren Jackson Jr. on the court throughout the game, Morant explained, “I feel like those guys look up to us, and we’re pretty much the engine to the team. 

“So, seeing one of us out there on the floor is a good thing, but I don’t think they lack confidence if we’re not. Obviously, we want to instill confidence no matter what and play the same way no matter who’s out there on the floor. Tonight, we had that — one of us on the floor, and I guess it worked.”

Yes, it did work! For Morant, statistics, honors, and recognition mean nothing until they lead to wins for his team.

Key Takeaways: 

  • Dominant Rebounding: Memphis outrebounded Milwaukee 56-38, with a 49-29 defensive glass advantage.
  • Decisive Run: 19-1 run in the first quarter, including 14 straight points.
  • Series Dominance: Memphis wins sixth straight against Bucks, averaging 20.8-point margin.
  • Historic Streak: Longest winning streak in head-to-head series for Memphis.
  • Bucks’ Struggles: Milwaukee loses fourth straight, finishes 0-3 road trip.
  • Defensive Milestone: Memphis holds opponent under 100 points for first time this season.
  • Balanced Offense: All five Memphis starters score in double figures, combining for 84 points.
  • First Career Start: Rookie Jaylen Wells finished with 16 points and grabbed seven boards in his. Plus played dogged defense on Damian Lillard.

Up Next:

Kicking off a two-game road trip, the Memphis Grizzlies will face the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on Saturday, November 2nd, at 6:30 p.m. CT.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Nets Hand Grizzlies Tough Home Loss

Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams (1) shoots the ball as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13), John Konchar (46) and Ja Morant (12) attempt to block the shot during the first half at FedExForum on October 30, 2024 (Wes Hale Photo)

The Memphis Grizzlies dropped to 2-3 on the season, falling 119-106 at home to the Brooklyn Nets. Injury woes continued, as starters Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane exited the game with ankle issues.

Despite favorable expectations, Memphis underperformed, hindered by careless ball handling which led to 22 turnovers that Brooklyn capitalized on for 31 points.

The Grizzlies’ quest for a faster tempo remains elusive, marred by sloppy execution and costly mistakes.

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins expressed disappointment in the Grizzlies’ defensive performance, and praised the Nets offense. He admitted his team failed to execute their planned strategy and took responsibility for not adequately preparing them. 

“We just have to fill our cup,” Jenkins said, on dealing with injuries. “Tomorrow, [we play] a great [Milwaukee] Bucks team, and they’re going to be hungry for a win. We’re hungry for a win. It’s going to be two teams battling.” 

He continued, “We have to bring a better effort tomorrow, and whoever’s available to play has to go out there and compete even better than we’ve done the last two games. The guys are feeling it. They know it’s unacceptable.” 

“We [the coaches] have to find a way to be included,” Jenkins concluded. “I have to lead better —I have to prepare them better. Our guys have to go out and play better, so it all comes down to responsibility. We’ll just take it day by day. I don’t know where we’re going to stand tomorrow, but once we get through, we know we’ve still got depth that can go out there and can be better [than] before.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. poured in a season-high 30 points, shooting 83% from the field (10-12) and perfect from three (3-3), with 7-10 from the free throw line, his 23rd career 30-point game.

Ja Morant posted 14 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists, securing his 64th career double-double and second of the season, despite shooting 5-16 from the field and 1-6 from three.

Zach Edey tied his career high and Brandon Clarke set a season high, each scoring 13 points. Edey went 6-9 from the field and 1-2 from the line, while Clarke shot a perfect 5-5 from the field and 3-3 from the free throw line.

No Time to Panic

Although disappointing, it’s only 5 games out of 82. As Jackson Jr. said last night, “Can’t panic. Soldiers don’t panic. Should never panic. Panic just makes it worse, makes anything worse. You just stay calm and work on what you have to do — work on your craft.” 

Up Next 

The Grizzlies’ four-game home stand comes to a close on Thursday, October 31, with a showdown against the Milwaukee Bucks at 7 PM CST.