Tag: Jaren Jackson Jr.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Morant, Bane Lift Grizzlies to Sixth-Straight Win

Ja Morant goes up for a layup against the Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, March 26, 2023. (Credit: Adam Hagy/NBAE via Getty Images)

After coming off the bench in the first two games after serving an eight-game ban, Ja Morant was reinstated in the starting lineup against Atlanta Sunday night for the Grizzlies. He took advantage of the opportunity.

Morant put up 27 points, six assists, and three rebounds as Memphis defeated the Hawks 123-119, and clinched a top-4 seed and home court advantage in the first round of the 2023 NBA Playoffs. The Grizzlies previously clinched a playoff berth on Friday night with a win against the Houston Rockets.

Morant said he’s not quite himself just yet. “I’m getting there,” he said after the win. “I’m getting a lot more comfortable. Getting my legs under me a little bit. My staff is preparing me the right way, having me ready for games each and every night. I believe in them 100 percent in how they’re managing me and ramping me back up.”

Morant said he studied film while he was away from the team. He said, “Obviously I watched pretty much all the games – how they were moving the ball and playing no-point-five basketball, sharing the ball, being very unselfish and that’s one of the reasons I decided to come off the bench early on to get that feel of that playing style. 

Morant went on to say, “I feel like we [have] to keep continuing to play like that. We have a lot more guys that can contribute and be in rhythm playing with confidence and we’re tough to guard.” 

The 23-year-old said it was nice to hear the young fans cheer for him. However, he knows he has a responsibility as a role model to the younger generation. “I got to set better examples,” said the All-Star guard. “Mistakes I made in the past [are] not examples they need to see. It’s only right, I correct them and show them the right way. Having them still behind me brings joy to me, makes me happy.”

Morant didn’t have any issues in the opposing arena since he said it was home for him. He was born in Georgia and spent time there growing up. 

Morant also said he can’t wait to get back to Memphis in front of the home crowd in the playoffs. Like Dillon Brooks, he’s ready to hear, “Whoop That Trick,” the Grizzlies playoff rallying cry. 

The Grizzlies are now 47-27 on the season and hold the longest active winning streak in the NBA with six consecutive victories.

Desmond Bane added 25 points, five assists, three rebounds while going 11-of-18 from the field. 

Jaren Jackson, Jr. finished with 15 points, eight rebounds, five blocks and three steals in 34 minutes of play. 

After the game, Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins had this to say about Jackson, Jr.’s defensive impact: 

Xavier Tillman, Sr. had an all-round complete game. In 30 minutes, he chipped in 15 points, eight rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks. Tillman has been doing an excellent job holding it down for the Grizzlies in the absence of Steven Adams and Brandon Clarke.

Luke Kennard scored 14 points while shooting four-of-nine from three and grabbed seven boards off the bench. As a reserve Tyus Jones had 13 points and five assists. 

Up Next 

The Grizzlies return to FedExForum for a three-game homestand starting Tuesday, March 28, against the Orlando Magic at 7 p.m. CT. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

It’s a Parade Inside My City, Yeah!!!

Ja Morant back on the court after a nine game absence against the Houston Rockets (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

Grizzlies defeated the Houston Rockets at FedExForum Wednesday night, 130-125, and clinched their second consecutive Southwest Division title. Memphis improved to 45-27 on the season and have a league-leading 31-5 home record. 

The J&J Show

Jaren Jackson, Jr. put on a master-class on the offensive end with 37 points, 10 rebounds, and two assists while going 14-of-20 (70%) from the field plus two blocks and a steal.

The All-Star big man scored on his first 13 field goals inside the 3-point line and finished with 13-of-15 in the paint while tying his career-high in field goals made. 

“I’m taking what the defense has given me, definitely a lot right now,” Jackson, Jr. said after his dominant performance. “Being assertive and trying to abuse mismatches and just taking it upon myself to be dominant and not take a possession off.”

He went on to say, “Really just try every time to get what I want and get to my spots. It’s all about spots, for real. I’m learning that more and more each game, it’s about spots because spots become more and more repetitive each game and trying to get to certain places on the floor where I can really be successful.”

“I definitely have the potential to be good,” Jackson, Jr. added. “I think just growing into the potential that I have is great; you got to just get there. Potentially I will.”

Ja Morant was back on the floor for the first time since his 8-game suspension. The All-Star point guard came off the bench for the first time in his career and received a standing ovation from the crowd. 

“It meant a lot, man,” said Morant. “Obviously, I’m thankful and grateful for everybody who’s been supporting me during this time. It definitely helped me a lot, definitely made me feel a little better. Eased everything that was going on. Felt good to be back. Super excited. Glad we [were] able to get the win.”

As far as coming off the bench, it was essentially Morant’s idea. “I didn’t want to come back and mess any of that chemistry up,” the All-Star guard said. “Obviously, I was watching film once my time was getting closer to being back, watching how they was playing. Obviously, it’s different from watching and actually being out there. So getting back into the flow, getting back into the offense. Also getting back comfortable with everything. My mental is very important to me, and that was one of the reasons why.”

The 23-year-old said he had to calm his nerves before the game. “Before the game, I did some meditation to basically just ease the nerves, the emotions I was feeling coming back,” he said. “It was a lot, but it kind of helped me, and then once I got out there on the court, just seeing how the fans reacted to me being back definitely helped me a lot. Made me feel good inside, and I can’t put it into words. Thank you everybody.”

He also made clear he’s prioritizing his mental health. He emphasized his counseling will be an ongoing process. 

Morant closed out the game with 17 points, five assists, four rebounds, two steals and a block. The Murray State alum says he got a second chance and I believe he’s going to make the best of it. 

Up Next

The Grizzlies and Rockets will do it again on Friday, March 24th, for the final matchup of the season. Memphis looks to take the season series 4-0. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Depleted Grizzlies Run Clippers Close in Road Loss

Dillon Brooks guards LeBron James. (Credit: NBAE via Getty Images)

It has been tumultuous for the Memphis Grizzlies since Friday night’s loss to the Denver Nuggets. 

First, Brandon Clarke went down with injury with a torn Achilles (out for the season), Dillon Brooks received his 16th technical foul that caused an automatic one-game suspension, and then there’s Ja Morant, who is away from the team indefinitely after brandishing a gun on his IG Live. 

It was remarkable to see the Grizzlies put up a fight against the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday night. 

“We have to step up because there are big shoes to fill,” said Jaren Jackson, Jr. after Sunday’s heartbreaking loss to the Clippers. “That’s been our motto for a long time. Whenever somebody goes down, everyone’s always ready, everyone’s always working. Come together and do it.”

The Grizzlies put up a 51 point third quarter against the Clippers and had a 15 point lead going into the final period. LA outscored Memphis 38-17 to win the game, 135-129. 

Memphis’ fourth quarter woes continue to rear its ugly head. 

Desmond Bane says that the team isn’t really too concerned about it. 

“We’ve had guys in and out you know pretty much all year, so I think that we’re still kind of figuring out our fourth quarter offense,” he said. “Once we get to half court, Jaren [Jackson, Jr.] is a focal point given his size. We slow the game down and play through him. So if he continues to make the right decisions, I think that is something that we’re gonna grow through for sure.” 

The Grizzlies are ranked 29th in fourth quarter scoring in the association. 

Tonight against the Los Angeles Lakers on TNT, Memphis will have Dillon Brooks back in the starting lineup. 

Memphis is still second place in the Western Conference yet only .5 games ahead of the soaring Sacramento Kings, who are in third. 

The Lakers are trying to make the play-in while LeBron James is out due to a foot injury. 

Tyus Jones isn’t worried about the team after all the adversity. He said Sunday, “I’m confident that the team will move forward. I’m confident we can continue to stay together, ride together. We still have a job to do – we are still striving to improve as a team.”

That next-man-up mentality must be ever present for the Grizzlies if they want to keep second place in the West. Other teams will not lie down for them. 

The secret to their success is giving a full effort for the full 48 minutes. Jenkins must take responsibility for the selection of his lineups and the players have to take responsibility for their play. 

I know it’s going to be a struggle. Can the team handle it with added pressure without Morant? 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Snap Road Losing Streak

Desmond Bane goes up for a jumper on March 1, 2023 against the Houston Rockets (Credit: Logan Riley/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Grizzlies ended their 8-game losing streak on the road with a 113-99 victory over the Rockets on Wednesday night at the Toyota Center on the second night of a back-to-back. 

It was obvious in the first half that both the Grizzlies and the Rockets were playing the second night of a back-to-back. When it came to scoring early on, both teams struggled, but it was the Grizzlies who eventually pulled ahead. After leading by only three points at halftime, Memphis exploded to a 17-point advantage by the end of the third quarter.

After scoring just 47 points in the first half, Memphis scored 66 second-half points. 

The Grizzlies have now won three in a row to improve to 38-23 on the season while the Rockets have lost 11 straight and dropped to 13-49. 

Desmond Bane led the squad with 30 points while scoring 21 in the second half, nine rebounds, six assists and connecting on 6-of-9 from the 3-point stripe. 

Ja Morant added 20 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists in 26 minutes of action. The game was out of hand late in the third period, and Morant sat in the final quarter. 

Jaren Jackson, Jr. finished with 17 points, four rebounds, and five blocks. The Block Panther is now tied for second place with 145 total blocks this season; however, Jackson is the leader at blocks per game at 3.3. 

Dillon Brooks had his best game of the calendar year with 16 points while connecting on four 3-pointers. 

Up Next 

The Grizzlies will battle the Denver Nuggets on Friday at 9pm CT inside Ball Arena. It will be the third and final regular season meeting between the Western Conference top 2 seeded teams. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Crush Lakers Behind Historic Night From Morant

Ja Morant takes a shot against the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)

Tuesday night, the Memphis Grizzlies went on national television and embarrassed Anthony Davis and the Los Angeles Lakers. LeBron James watched from the bench as Ja Morant and company put on a masterclass in the second half, setting a few records while coming away with the 121-109 victory.  

Let’s get into it.  

The first half was pretty forgettable, and Memphis trailed by 3 at halftime, with several Grizzlies struggling to make shots. Ja Morant went 3 for 14 in the first half, and Jaren Jackson Jr. and Dillon Brooks shot 1 of 5 and 1 of 8, respectively.  

It was in the second half that this team really came to life on the strength of a record-setting 47-point third quarter, led by Morant’s career-high 28-points.  

The Lakers tried to close the gap in the fourth quarter, at one point cutting the lead to four, but that was followed by an 8-0 run from the Grizzlies punctuated by a pair of dunks from Jackson Jr. and Morant for good measure. 

Enjoy:

By The Numbers: 

As a team, Memphis scored a franchise record 41 points off 26 Lakers turnovers. 

Ja Morant led all scorers with 39 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, his 10th career triple-double, and the highest scoring triple-double in franchise history. Morant’s 28 points in the third quarter are the most by any NBA player in a quarter this season. 

Xavier Tillman Sr. scored a career-high 18 points and 11 rebounds, his first double-double of the season.  

Jaren Jackson Jr. finished the night with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 blocks.  

Desmond Bane also finished with 16 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 4 steals.  

Who Got Next? 

No rest for the weary: The Grizzlies are back at it tonight in Houston, facing off against the Houston Rockets. Tip-off is at 7 PM CST.  

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Win, Survive Late Jazz Rally

Jaren Jackson, Jr. at tip-off against the Utah Jazz on February 15, 2023. (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

In the final game before the All-Star break, the Memphis Grizzlies defeated the Utah Jazz 117-111. The Jazz almost came all the way back, despite being down as many as 24 points. It wasn’t pretty but it sure was gritty. 

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins said he wasn’t too concerned about losing a 24-point lead, adding he was pleased with a win going into the break in the midst of the team’s more recent struggles: “We shouldn’t want anything to be easy. We should want these struggles to make us better. It’s the nature of a long season. You’re going to have your ebbs and flows. We’ve had good moments recently. We’ve embraced some struggles. We’ve been able to put some good work in and start trending in a better direction.”

He added, “Now is an opportunity, for about six days, to get that rest and recuperation and to come back and continue to put in even more work. So, our guys have gained some momentum over the last week, despite having to grind through. But as I’ve always said, these struggles are going to make you better, and we’ve still got a lot of season left to make that happen.”

Jaren Jackson, Jr. put on an All-Star and All-Defensive performance to lead Memphis with 26 points, nine rebounds, four blocks and a career-high five steals to help the Grizzlies to improve to 35-22 on the season. 

With 40 games under his belt, the Block Panther can now be recognized as the NBA block leader at a career-high 3.3 per game. 

Desmond Bane tallied 24 points, six rebounds, and four assists while Ja Morant finished with a near triple double, 20 points, nine assists, and eight rebounds despite a poor shooting night (8-of-26).

Morant is a wizard with the rock! 

Up Next

It’s All-Star break!! The team has a week off for relaxation and recuperation, except for Kenneth Lofton, Jr, Jackson, Jr. and Morant, who will be in Utah for the All-Star festivities. 

Prior to the game, Morant and Jackson, Jr. were honored with their All-Star jerseys.

The Grizzlies will be back in action on February 23rd against the 76ers in Philadelphia. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Morant, Jackson Guide Memphis to Much-Needed Win

Jaren Jackson Jr. and Ja Morant contesting a shot from Chicago Bulls' Nikola Vucevic on February 8, 2023 (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

The “most hated” team in the NBA, as defined by Ja Morant, got back on track with a win on Tuesday night at FedExForum.

Memphis was on a three-game skid and needed to stop the bleeding. The home team beat the Chicago Bulls 104-89 behind dogged defense, outpacing the Bulls 32-14 in the final period. Fourth-quarter execution on both ends of the floor had been an issue for Memphis during their most recent slump.

After the game, Jaren Jackson, Jr. talked about getting over the hump. He said, “I think we just made more shots that we had been taking all game, locked in on defense a little bit more. We changed some coverages around. I thought our coaches were great today; they’re always, but today, they just knew exactly what was going on.

“Just getting stops, rebounding,” Ja Morant on fourth-quarter execution. “Obviously, these recent games, we’ve been giving up too many layups, second chance points. We were back, pretty much, to our defense. Later, we’ll be able to get out. People know that.”

All-Star 12

Morant led Memphis with 34 points, six rebounds, and seven assists, in his 30th career 30-5-5 stat line. Morant returned after being sidelined with an injury in the loss against the Toronto Raptors. Despite controversy and distractions, Morant let his play on the court do all the talking Tuesday night. 

Morant says he has a better day when his daughter Kaari is with him. Maybe Kaari can be the team’s good luck charm. 

All-Star Trip

Jackson Jr. finished with 24 points, five blocks, (four in the first quarter) and two steals in 34 minutes of action. The Michigan State alum was the tone setter from the start. 

“I [was] just feeling it out like I normally do,” said the 23-year old on his first quarter performance. “Just trying to see what was going on and just was feeling it out. I wasn’t really thinking that much stuff. I don’t really like to think that much. I just kind of just do whatever.”

“He and I talked yesterday (Monday),” said Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins on Jackson’s performance. “And it was more about the offensive stuff, and obviously he was phenomenal tonight, just the post threat physicality.

“He had a couple great kickout slasher three-point shots out the post, but he’s going to do what he does defensively, so you don’t have to really coach him up much there.”

Jenkins added, “He did a phenomenal job setting the tone. He had nine points early, had probably like five blocks early, something like that. He definitely set a tone, but he carried it out for four quarters and had a phenomenal game tonight.”

“That’s pretty much what we’re doing,” Morant said about Jackson Jr. setting the tone for the game. “He’s pretty much playing the four for us. Most teams nowadays try to swing one to four. No team should be able to do that versus us with him being the forefront. Our messages to the team, to each other is to find him, and we’re going to dominate whoever is guarding him. It’s clicking for him. We’ve seen how well he’s been playing. [The Bulls] came out with a lot of energy and locked in on the defensive end, and he got some big stops for us and allowed us to get going early.”

The Grizzlies could use more of this for the remainder of the season and beyond from Jackson Jr., who is the team’s best all-around player. 

Up Next

The Grizzlies host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday at 7pm CT in the final regular season match-up. The Timberwolves has a 2-1 edge Memphis looks to even the season series. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies’ Road Woes Continue

Desmond Bane goes up for a shot against the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 2, 2023. (Credit: NBAE via Getty Images)

On the second night of a back-to-back, the Grizzlies lost their second-consecutive game. The hot Cleveland Cavaliers defeated Memphis, 128-113, before a nationally televised audience on TNT. Memphis has now lost seven of its last eight games and six straight road games. 

The Grizzlies had a tough time dealing with Cleveland’s Jared Allen and Evan Mobley. Memphis was without Jaren Jackson, Jr., who sat out due to right thigh soreness. (Jackson was visibly limping in the loss to Portland on Wednesday night.) The Grizzlies are also missing starting center Steven Adams for an extended period of time with a PCL sprain. 

Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with 25 points while connecting on 6-of-7 from three. Ja Morant added 24 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists. Santi Aldama recorded a career-high 21 points, tying a career best with four 3-pointers, and 10 rebounds.

Dillon Brooks and Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell were both ejected after a scuffle midway through the third quarter. Brooks is likely to receive a fine and or suspension for hitting Mitchell in the groin. 

All-Star Reserves and Rising Stars

Prior to the game, Morant and Jackson, Jr. were selected as All-Star reserves for the 72nd NBA-All Star game in Salt Lake City, Utah. All-Star festivities are Feb. 17-19. It was the first time in franchise history that multiple players were selected as All-Stars. 

Morant became the first player in team history to be selected in back-to-back All-Star games. Last season he was named as a starter. Morant is averaging 27.4 points, 8.3 assists, and 5.8 rebounds per game this season. 

It’s the first All-Star selection for Jackson, Jr. After missing 14 games at the start of the season, the 23-year-old has anchored one of the best defenses in the league. He is averaging 16.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.3 blocks and 1.0 in 35 games this season, and has recorded 4 or more blocks in 15 games. 

Grizzlies two-way player Kenneth Lofton, Jr. was selected to participate in the Jordan Rising Stars, representing the Memphis Hustle. Junior is one of seven G-League players selected. In 10 games for the Hustle, Lofton is averaging 18.3 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 1.4 steals.

Up Next

The Grizzlies look to get back in the win column on Sunday against the Toronto Raptors to start a three-game homestead. Tip-off: 5 p.m. CT. 

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Grizzlies End Skid Behind Jackson, Morant

Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks and Xavier Tillman, Sr. inside FedExForum on January 29, 2023 in a win against the Indiana Pacers. (Credit: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Grizzlies’ five-game losing streak is over with a comeback win against the Indiana Pacers, 112-100, at FedExForum, Sunday night. 

After falling behind by as many as 19 points in the first half, the Grizzlies staged their biggest comeback victory of the season by outscoring the Pacers 62-38 in the second.

The Grizzlies have the best home winning percentage (.875) in the NBA after improving to 21-3 at home this season. Memphis has now won eight consecutive games at FedExForum, a season best.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led all scorers with 28 points, and added eight rebounds and five blocks in a season-high 38 minutes. And the blocks were real; more on that later. 

“Tonight is a product of him just being aggressive, his teammates finding him,” said Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins on Jackson’s touches in the game. 

“There was a lot of dialogue about opportunities for him,” added Jenkins. “They were switching, he was doing a good job running the floor, getting early post-up touches, then we made some calls and he just had great poise, in that post-up game. Even kicked it out a couple of times, just missed some shots but really impressive what he did on the offensive side to back up what he did defensively.”

Jackson acknowledged the importance of the team stopping the losing streak. He said, “Very important. You know, make sure you stop the bleeding. Coming together, and I think maybe coming home, helped for sure. Yeah man, put it together. It’s important. Feels good.”

With 27 points, 10 boards, and 15 assists, Ja Morant recorded his second straight triple-double and his fifth triple-double of the season. Morant logged 40 minutes while playing the entire second half. It was Morant’s ninth career regular season triple-double. It was the second time in franchise history a Griz player had accomplished the feat two games in a row. Delon Wright did it April 5-7, 2019.

“It just shows when we play our basketball and play with some energy, majority of the time, we win basketball games,” said Morant on getting his swag back after the losing streak. Tonight, obviously showed us we are capable of it, and we just got to continue to do it from start to finish.”

 

In his third-straight start, Brandon Clarke had 13 points while going 5-of-5 from the field. 

Xavier Tillman Sr. finished with nine points and a season-high 11 rebounds, including a career-high eight offensive rebounds.

Conspiracy 

A Redditt user sent NBA Twitter and the betting world in a frenzy with a bogus claim that the Grizzlies’ scorekeeper was inflating Jackson’s steals and blocks at home. The NBA and media members refuted the claims quickly. 

The NBA issued a statement backing the Grizzlies’ scorekeepers and stressing that game action and statistics are evaluated in real time.

Jenkins had this to say about the conspiracy, “Foolish — NBA made a statement. Conspiracy, conspiracy. [Jaren Jackson Jr.] is one of the best defensive players in the game. So lucky to have him on our team.”

Jackson addressed the conspiracy after the game. He said, “That was good. I thought that was pretty funny. I didn’t really understand it at first. I saw that I beat the case, so that was dope. It was just lighting up group chats on my phone, you know how it is when your homies are letting you know. I’m getting texts like, ‘You good?’ or whatever, and I’m like half asleep, still don’t even know what’s going on.”

Yes, JJJ you beat the case.

Up Next

The Grizzlies will host the Portland Trailblazers on Wednesday night with an early 6pm CT tip-off time. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Drop 5th-Straight Game to End Road Trip

Ja Morant shooting the ball on January 27, 2023 against the Minnesota Timberwolves (Credit: NBAE via Getty Images)

The Grizzlies finished a five-game, season-long road trip winless, after losing to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday by a score of 111-100.

Yes, Memphis has lost five straight games after going on an 11-game win streak to begin the year.  The road has not been kind for the Grizzlies as the team is 11-15 this season. However, there’s no place like home. Memphis has one of the best home records in the league at 20-3. 

Desmond Bane (right knee pain) and Steven Adams were absent for the Grizzlies on Friday (right knee PCL sprain). John Konchar also is in concussion protocol. With 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists, Ja Morant led the Grizzlies, and notched his fourth season triple-double and eighth of his career.

On the season, Morant is averaging 27.3 points, 8.1 assists and 5.6 rebounds and will surely be selected as an All-Star reserve by NBA head coaches. 

To round off the scoring, Dillon Brooks finished with 17 points, Brandon Clarke added 15 points, seven rebounds, and three steals, and Jaren Jackson Jr. ended with 14 points, seven rebounds, two steals, and two blocks. 

The Timberwolves’ Kyle Anderson finished with a season-high 23 points and six assists, including a season-high four 3-pointers in the win against his former team.

Deficiencies

Free-throw shooting reared its ugly head in losses in the losing streak. The team only shot 80 percent or above in two of the five games. The worst outcome was going 26 of 40 against the Los Angeles Lakers and losing 122-121. 

Memphis shot 26 of 37 against the Golden State Warriors and lost by 2 points, 122-120. This has become a problem that has cost the team regular season games and if not corrected will haunt them come playoff time. 

Memphis tragedy

Prior to the game, a moment of silence was held for Tyre Nichols, who was fatally beaten by Memphis police officers earlier this month. Both the Grizzlies and the Timberwolves issued statements prior to the release of the disturbing videos on the deadly encounter. 

Jackson Jr. shared his thoughts on Twitter prior to the game.

After the game Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins spoke to the media:

“There’s way harder things on in the city versus what’s going on with our basketball right now. I’m proud of our guys going out there. We’re playing with heavy hearts, but we’re also playing for our city that’s going through a lot right now.My words will only mean so much. I want to continue to encourage people to put their arms around each other. To put their arms around the Nichols family, the Wells family to remember a beautiful life in Tyre Nichols – who I did not know, but I’m learning about.”

The team’s locker room was closed on Friday after the game and players were not made available to speak with the media. #JusticeForTyre

Up Next 

There’s no place like home. The Grizzlies will look to end their slump on Sunday when they return home to take on the Indiana Pacers at 5 pm CT.