Tag: Ja Morant

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Close Out Raptors With Authority

Memphis Grizzlies players huddle up in a game against the Toronto Raptors on February 5, 2025. (Photo: Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies overcame a lackluster first half, trailing 59-53, with an explosive second-half performance, scoring a season-high 85 points, to dominate the Toronto Raptors, 138-107. The win extends their impressive run of 10 victories in their last 11 games and a current four-game winning streak.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the charge for the Grizzlies with 32 points on 62.5 percent shooting, complemented by five rebounds and four assists. This performance marked his third consecutive game with 30-plus points and his ninth straight game with 20-plus points, both career highs.

Ja Morant delivered a strong performance, scoring 26 points on 64.3 percent shooting, while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out four assists. He also exploded for 16 points in the third quarter, matching his season-high for points in a single quarter.

Morant and Jackson Jr. have now both scored 25-plus points in back-to-back games, highlighting their impressive offensive chemistry.

In his hometown NBA debut, Toronto native Zach Edey made history, logging a career-best third-consecutive double-double with 13 points and 15 rebounds. Edey became the first Memphis Grizzlies rookie since Pau Gasol in 2002 to record three straight double-doubles, with Gasol having achieved four consecutive double-doubles that March and April.

GG Jackson II had an impressive outing as a reserve with 17 points and six rebounds as the Grizzlies improved to 35-16 on the season. 

Completing the team’s solid performance, Brandon Clarke scored 13 points and grabbed five rebounds, with Scotty Pippen Jr. adding 12 points and five rebounds.

The Grizzlies received a boost, as their injury list shrunk, with the return of Marcus Smart and Vince Williams Jr., both of whom had been sidelined.

The Grizzlies are gearing up to face off against the Oklahoma City Thunder at FedExForum on Saturday, February 8th, at 7 p.m. CT. The highly anticipated matchup pits the top two teams in the Western Conference against each other.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Get Crushed by Knicks

Jaren Jackson Jr. handles the ball in a game against the New York Knicks on January 27, 2024 at Madison Square Garden. (Photo by: Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies struggled mightily against the New York Knicks on Monday night at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks ended the Grizzlies’ six-game winning streak with a dominant 143-106 victory. 

The Grizzlies’ ball-control issues led to a season-high 26 turnovers, including 20 steals from the Knicks, which they capitalized on, scoring 36 points off turnovers.

New York also dominated Memphis in fast break points, outscoring them 31-9. The Knicks put up 83 points in the second half.  

Following the game, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins offered his assessment of the team’s performance. He said, “We didn’t have it for 48 minutes. Give the Knicks a lot of credit — they played great tonight. (I) thought their physicality was great. We had so many uncharacteristic moments in the game — defensively and offensively — definitely not our best tonight.”

Jenkins continued: “We were just out of sync from the very get-go. I mean, I thought their physicality was good, just some of our decision making was tough. And, we struggled finishing. So overall, give them credit, they played a great physical brand of basketball that we struggled with all night.” 

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Grizzlies with 21 points, shooting 8 of 14 from the field, and added four rebounds and two blocked shots.

Prior to the game, Jackson Jr. earned his first-ever NBA Western Conference Player of the Week award. He guided the Grizzlies to a perfect 4-0 record, averaging 25.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.  The All-Star candidate’s stellar week was highlighted by his excellent shooting, with a field goal percentage of 57.6%, a three-point percentage of 38.1%, and a free throw percentage of 82.6%.

Desmond Bane contributed 16 points and 4 assists, but struggled with ball control, committing a team-high 6 turnovers.

Ja Morant scored 10 points on 5-13 shooting with two assists in 27 minutes, a departure from what we are used to seeing from the superstar guard.

Zach Edey had a strong outing, tallying 9 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 blocks, just shy of a double-double. 

The Grizzlies are gearing up for a showdown with the Houston Rockets at FedExForum this Thursday, January 30th, at 8:30 p.m. CT. You can catch the action live on TNT. The matchup promises to be an exciting one, as both teams are vying for the second spot in the Western Conference. The Grizzlies are currently 31-16, while the Rockets stand at 31-14.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

DĂ©jĂ  Vu: Grizzlies Beat Wolves in Familiar Fashion

Jaren Jackson Jr. goes up for a shot against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday, January 20, 2025 during the 23rd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Game. (Photo by: Grant Burke/NBAE via Getty Images)

Déjà vu struck as the Memphis Grizzlies overcame a late deficit to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 108-106 at FedExForum during the 23rd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Game on Monday. 

It was the Grizzlies’ second comeback win over Minnesota in under two weeks in almost the same eerie fashion. The Timberwolves built a sizable lead, topping out at 16 points in the first half, and held a 95-86 edge midway through the fourth quarter. 

However, the Grizzlies rallied with a decisive 11-0 run, taking a 106-100 lead with 2:20 remaining, and withstanding a last-ditch three-point effort to win. The comeback win improved Memphis’ home record to 16-5. The Grizzlies outscored Minnesota 37-30 in the final period. 

Following the game, Grizzlies head coach Jenkins offered his assessment: “We finally got our legs, mind, or whatever it was. The last couple of games have been a tale of two halves. Both teams were struggling in the first quarter. It was a low-scoring affair. We found our groove in the third quarter.”

The Three-headed Monster

Jaren Jackson Jr. picked up three fouls in the first half that limited his first half minutes. He was one of the first players out of the locker room at halftime getting up shots. 

The 25-year-old big man notched his fourth double-double of the season, leading the team with 24 points and 11 rebounds. He caught fire in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 points to match his season high for points in the final period. Jackson Jr. made a significant impact on the game’s outcome, finishing with a +24 in 32 minutes.

After the game, Jackson Jr. reflected on the different closers the team has relied on as of late, saying, “I feel like with us being in control or having a ball or being spots we want … when we’re in those situations, I like all of our options.” 

It is usually call 12, but on Monday they dialed 13 and 22 (Desmond Bane).

Jackson Jr. said he’s on the same network as Ja Morant. He credited his clutch fourth-quarter performance to finding his shooting rhythm, saying the shots felt great. It was a notable turnaround from a tough start to the game.

The Michigan State alum said that late-game situations are what the NBA is all about, especially at this point in the season. He noted that many teams tire and lose focus, but the Grizzlies were aware of this and made a conscious effort to bring extra energy to mount a comeback, as Memphis improved to 28-15 on the season.

The former Defensive Player of the Year has been one of the best isolation players in the league this season. He said he spent the summer working on iso situations, training with live defenders instead of cones or pads. He believes this approach helps him better understand how defenders will react to his moves.

Jackson Jr. is solidifying his position as one of the Western Conference’s most reliable big men. Since the start of January, Jackson Jr. has consistently delivered impressive numbers, averaging 24.3 points, 7.1 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.6 blocks, and 1.4 steals per game.

According to the Grizzlies, the All-Star candidate ranks 10th in the NBA in Estimated Plus-Minus (EPM) and is one of four NBA players (min. 30 games played) to rank in the 92nd percentile or higher in both Offensive EPM and Defensive EPM (along with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Domantas Sabonis, Victor Wembanyama).

Desmond Bane continued his hot streak, scoring 22 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists, marking his fifth straight game with 20+ points. He has averaged 22.2 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game in that span.

Morant contributed 19 points and dished out seven assists. He attributed the win to improved defense in the second half, which sparked their momentum. He also credited Jackson Jr. and Bane for closing out the game strong.

Morant believes Jackson Jr. is a clear-cut All-Star, stating “there’s no question” about his deserving the honor. Morant thinks Jackson’s consistent performance at an “All-NBA level” warrants recognition, particularly given his durability and nightly contributions on both ends of the court.

Tidbits 

GG Jackson made his NBA season debut after foot surgery, contributing four points on 2-of-5 shooting, and one rebound, in 11 minutes of playtime. 

Jackson, selected 45th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, had a notable rookie season. He averaged 14.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.2 assists in 25.7 minutes per game, while shooting 42.8% from the field, 35.7% from 3-point range, and 75.2% from the free throw line. Jackson achieved these impressive stats as the youngest player in the league.

Up Next 

The Grizzlies are gearing up to host the Charlotte Hornets at FedExForum on Wednesday, January 22, at 7 p.m. CT. The matchup marks the second game of Memphis’ four-game home stand. Both teams are currently on a three-game winning streak. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports Uncategorized

Grizzlies Erupt in Second Half, Down Spurs

Ja Morant goes up for a bucket during the game against the San Antonio Spurs on January 15, 2025. (Photo by: Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)

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.Âč

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Jackson Jr. Dominates, Morant Delivers Knockout Blow in Win Over Wolves

Jaren Jackson shoots the ball during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on January 11, 2025 (Photo by: David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

A resilient Ja Morant exemplified the age-old adage, “it’s not how you start, but how you finish.” Despite a rough shooting night, Morant came through in the clutch, hitting two crucial baskets to propel the Memphis Grizzlies to a thrilling 127-125 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. 

In his second game back from injury, Morant’s impressive floater over the outstretched arms of Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert capped a comeback from a six-point deficit with less than five minutes remaining.

Watch the remarkable plays here: 

Morant finished the game with 12 points, five rebounds and four assists. 

Memphis snapped a six-game road losing streak against the Timberwolves, securing its first win at Target Center since May 5, 2021.

Jaren Jackson Jr.’s explosive 33-point, eight-rebound outing propelled the Grizzlies to the victory, and a 25-14 record, with the standout forward displaying a potent mix of scoring firepower and defensive acumen.

He even had a highlight play of his own to beat the shot clock. 

The 25-year-old remains a vital piece of Memphis’ core, delivering impressive averages of 22.9 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, with a significant 28.2% usage rate, this season.

Desmond Bane turned in a well-rounded effort, scoring 21 points to go along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists. He’s also found his scoring stride of late, topping 20 points in five of his last six outings following a shooting drought.

Rookie Jaylen Wells showcased his defensive expertise, holding Timberwolves’ star guard Anthony Edwards to 2-of-7 shooting as the primary defender, according to NBA.com matchups. His impressive performance drew parallels to Grizzlies legend Tony Allen, known for his suffocating defense, with Wells effectively “shutting off the water” on the opposing scorer. Wells finished with 13 points and three steals. 

The 21-year-old should definitely be in the running for the Kia NBA Rookie of the Year. He’s averaging 11.7 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. 

The Grizzlies are headed to Houston to face off against their division rivals, the Houston Rockets, in a highly anticipated rematch. The Rockets edged the Grizzlies 119-115 at FedExForum on January 9, and Memphis is eager for payback. The matchup is set for January 13 at the Toyota Center in Houston with a tipoff at 7pm CT. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports Uncategorized

Grizzlies Get Caught in Thunder’s Storm

Desmond Bane handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on December 29, 2024 at Paycom Center. (Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images)

John Konchar drew the start at power forward, pairing with Jaren Jackson Jr. as the Grizzlies battled the Oklahoma City Thunder, one of the league’s top squads. The Thunder defeated the Grizzlies, 130-106.

Memphis came out with great energy to take a 9-0 lead but it went downhill from there quickly. The Thunder took a 34-31 lead after the first period and never relinquished it. OKC took control of the game with a dominant second quarter, outscoring the Grizzlies 42-19 to build a commanding lead.

The Thunder also capitalized on Memphis’ miscues, converting 21 Grizzlies turnovers into 33 points.

Desmond Bane led Memphis with 22 points, nine rebounds and four assists. Jay Huff added 17 points off the bench followed by Luke Kennard with 16 points and 5 rebounds as the Grizzlies fell to 22-11 on the season.

Jackson Jr. had a rough shooting night ending in just 13 points (3-of-17), five rebounds and four assists while Konchar had a season-high 15 rebounds, four points, three steals and two blocked shots. Rookie sensation Yuki Kawamura had a season-high 10 points, three rebounds and three assists.

The Grizzlies were definitely facing an uphill battle against the Thunder without some of their key players. With Ja Morant, Zach Edey, and Brandon Clarke all sidelined due to injury, it was a tough ask for the rest of the team to step up and fill the void.

And let’s not forget that the Grizzlies were already missing some other important pieces, including Marcus Smart, Santi Aldama, Vince Williams Jr., and GG Jackson II.

Looking ahead, it’ll be interesting to see how the Grizzlies’ rotation shakes out when everyone is healthy. The game was ugly from a Grizzlies standpoint and I’m not even sure what positives to convey after that. But, I will try.

For now, it’s just one game, but the Grizzlies desperately need to get some of their injured players back on the court. The biggest concern is Ja Morant’s AC joint sprain in his right shoulder, and everyone is anxiously awaiting an update on the severity of the injury.

The fact that it’s the same shoulder that cut his season short last January is certainly concerning. However, fortunately, initial indications suggest that the injury might not be as severe as it initially appeared. Here’s hoping that’s indeed the case, for Morant’s and the Grizzlies’ sake.

The injury woes and Ja Morant’s uncertain status may feel eerily familiar to Grizzlies fans, but it’s worth noting that the team is in a stronger position now than they were last season when faced with a similar rash of injuries. Despite the current challenges, there’s reason to be optimistic.

Jackson Jr., Bane, and the rest of the squad will need to step up and hold down the fort until the injured players return. With their collective talent and determination, they can keep the Grizzlies afloat and poised for a strong push when the reinforcements arrive. Like the players always say, “One game at a time.”

The Grizzlies will continue their five-game road trip with a New Year’s Eve showdown against the Phoenix Suns at Footprint Center on Tuesday, December 31, at 8 p.m. CT.

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Sports Sports Feature

Game Recap ’24

Seth Henigan (Photo: Wes Hale)

If the Bluff City had an Athlete of the Year for 2024, it was University of Memphis quarterback Seth Henigan. The senior piled up records like a greedy 5-year-old under the Christmas tree. Henigan became the first Tiger signal-caller to toss 100 touchdown passes (104) and climbed to 13th on the FBS career passing-yardage chart (14,266). Best of all, he led Memphis to an 11-2 record, a third straight postseason victory (over West Virginia in the Frisco Bowl), and finished his career with 34 wins, a mark no future Tiger quarterback is likely to match. Add the heroics of running back Mario Anderson Jr. — 1,362 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns — and Memphis is all but certain to finish in the AP Top 25 for only the fourth time in program history.

The Tigers’ gridiron success made for some late-year balance to an otherwise disappointing 12 months in Memphis sports. Ravaged by injuries (and a lengthy suspension for star guard Ja Morant), the Memphis Grizzlies missed the NBA playoffs for the first time in three years. The only silver lining: A miserable record (27-55) earned the Grizz the ninth selection in the draft, a pick they used to acquire towering center Zach Edey, the two-time national college player of the year at Purdue. As 2025 approaches, Memphis is near the top of the Western Conference standings. Let’s call 2024 a hibernation year in Grizzlies history.

College basketball was no less disappointing. Coach Penny Hardaway’s Tigers roared to a 15-2 start, climbing to a ranking of 10th in the country 
 only to bumble their way through their American Athletic Conference schedule, finishing with a mark of 22-10 and missing out on the NCAA tournament. David Jones won the AAC scoring title in his only season in blue and gray, but an 11-7 record in that league doesn’t impress come March.

On the diamond, slugging first baseman Luken Baker starred for the Redbirds, leading the International League in home runs a second straight season despite a late-summer promotion to the St. Louis Cardinals. Baseball America’s Pitcher of the Year, Quinn Mathews, finished his season with Memphis, tossing his 200th strikeout of the season — a minor-league rarity — in a Redbirds uniform. Look for Mathews to anchor the 2025 rotation (until the Cardinals decide he’s needed in St. Louis).

Memphis said goodbye to our USL Championship soccer club, 901 FC. Without a soccer-only stadium in the plans, the franchise is moving to Santa Barbara, California, after six up-and-down seasons at AutoZone Park. For the sports historians, 901 FC put up an overall record of 76 wins, 62 losses, and 45 draws.

Hideki Matsuyama won the 2024 FedEx St. Jude Championship (FESJC) at TPC Southwind, this being the third year Memphis has hosted the opening tournament of the FedEx Cup playoffs. Along with the Southern Heritage Classic and the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, the FESJC is an annual reminder that Memphis can put on a show like few other cities in the world of sports. Let the 2025 games begin. 

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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 ValančiĆ«nas, 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.Â