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.
Desmond Bane dribbles the ball in a game against the Indiana Pacers on February 20, 2025 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
(Photo by: Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
The Memphis Grizzlies stumbled in their post-All-Star break debut, falling 127-113 to the Indiana Pacers.
Memphis dominated early, opening Thursday’s game with a 12-2 surge and leading by as many as 13 points in the first quarter.
However, their strong start was undone by a disastrous second quarter, where they gave up a franchise-record 50 points. The deficit proved insurmountable, ultimately leading to the Grizzlies’ second straight loss.
The Pacers surged to their largest advantage of the game, 85-59, by opening the third quarter with seven consecutive points. However, Memphis countered with a 28-6 burst to narrow the deficit to four, 91-87. Indiana regained control with a decisive 14-4 run, re-establishing a comfortable lead with 11:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies with a well-rounded performance, scoring 23 points, and adding seven assists, five rebounds, and two blocks.
Jaren Jackson Jr. compiled an impressive stat line, tallying 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and two blocks in a strong all-around showing. Yet, foul trouble hindered him in the final period.
Jaylen Wells added 17 points and four rebounds as the Grizzlies fell to 36-18 on the season.
The Grizzlies take on the Orlando Magic on the second night of a back-to-back at Kia Center on Friday, Feb. 21, at 6 p.m. CT.
Tid-bits
Memphis signed forward Lamar Stevens to a 10-day contract. Stevens averaged 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in 19 games with the Grizzlies last season. Meanwhile, Memphis waived Johnny Davis who was acquired in a trade that sent Marcus Smart to the Washington Wizards.
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.
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.
“i thought everybody was locked in and we just gotta keep bein locked in”
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.
Jaylen Wells shoots the ball during the game against the Sacramento Kings on January 3, 2025 (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
On Friday night at Golden 1 Center, the Memphis Grizzlies fell to the Sacramento Kings, 138-133. With the loss, the Grizzlies are now 23-12 on the season.
The Kings came out firing, dropping 46 points in the first quarter – the most the Grizzlies have surrendered in a single quarter all season. That explosive start gave the Kings a commanding 14-point lead, 46-32, by the end of the period.
The Grizzlies came back and made a game of it, though, staying competitive until the very end, when Sacramento made the necessary plays in the clutch to pull away and secure the win.
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins expressed disappointment after the loss, praising the Kings’ strong start. He cited excessive turnovers and defensive lapses as key issues, emphasizing that allowing 46 first-quarter points on the road is unacceptable. Jenkins lauded his team’s resilience in overcoming a 15-point deficit but still was upset about their defensive standard.
He said, “Great fight, but we’ve got to set a different tone, especially on the road in the first quarter, and we can’t be bleeding points like this. Defensively, you give up 138 points and score 133 – you can be like, Yay, on the offense, but defensively, that’s not our identity.”
Rookie Jaylen Wells, a Sacramento native, had a memorable homecoming with a career-high 30 points, highlighted by an impressive 8-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc. Despite his outstanding performance, the Grizzlies fell short, moving to 2-2 on their five-game road trip.
Jaren Jackson Jr. delivered another strong game with 28 points, six rebounds, and five assists before fouling out — with all six fouls assessed in the 4th quarter. Meanwhile, Desmond Bane chipped in with 22 points, eight assists, and seven rebounds, providing a solid all-around contribution.
To round it out, Scottie Pippen Jr. contributed 16 points and 5 assists, while Luke Kennard had a strong showing off the bench with 11 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds, narrowly missing a triple-double.
The Grizzlies are wrapping up their five-game road trip tonight against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center, with a tipoff at 7:30 p.m. CT.
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.
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.
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.
Ja Morant (12) and Yuki Kawamura dance at the Memphis Grizzlies open practice on October 6th at FedExForum. (Photos: Wes Hale)
Injuries and frustrations plagued the Memphis Grizzlies for most of the 2023–2024 season, beginning with standout point guard Ja Morant’s 25-game ban. Even after making a triumphant return, Morant was sidelined with a season-ending shoulder surgery that limited him to playing just nine games.
Coming off two seasons when they were near the top of the Western Conference, this young club was humbled and finished near the bottom of the standings.
By the time the regular season ended, Memphis had most of its roster on the injured list. They took on a record number of 10-day contracts to have the minimally allowed number of available players and relied heavily on the players on two-way contracts. No team in NBA history has employed more players and starting lineups than the Grizzlies last season.
The departure of Steven Adams to the Houston Rockets and the minimal playing time that backup Brandon Clarke had in the previous season after undergoing Achilles tendon surgery left the Grizzlies in dire need of a competent big man heading into the offseason.
With the ninth overall pick in the 2024 NBA draft, the Grizzlies acquired 7’4” Purdue center Zach Edey, who addressed a gap in the team’s roster. The remainder of the league is in for some terrifying hours if Edey’s preseason dominance continues into the regular season and beyond.
Along with Edey, the Grizzlies selected small forward Jaylen Wells with the 39th pick in the draft. As the lone Grizzlies player to reach double digits in five preseason games, Wells was a shining example of the team’s potential on both ends of the floor.
After Derrick Rose asked to be waived and subsequently retired from the league, another roster spot became available. As a result, Scotty Pippen Jr.’s two-way contract was converted to a standard multi-year deal while Yuki Kawamura went from having an Exhibit 10 contract to having a two-way offer.
Scotty Pippen Jr. shoots the ball during warm-ups before the preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets at FedExForum on October 10th.
New Beginnings
Will both atonement and vengeance drive the Grizzlies’ efforts this year?
The Grizzlies will be considered underdogs to begin the season due to recency bias in the national media’s expected rankings. That being said, it’s for the best because that’s where this squad excels.
“We know who we are; we know what we’re capable of. It’s just about going out there and doing it now,” Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane said during media day.
The previous two seasons prove that Memphis can inflict havoc at the top of the Western Conference when healthy, so fans should see last season’s dismal record as more of an outlier than anything else. They have the ability to get back on track in the standings. It may not be returning to the second seed, but it definitely will be an improvement over the previous position in last year’s campaign.
With former Defensive Players of the Year Jaren Jackson Jr. and Marcus Smart plus defensive menace Vince Williams Jr., this organization has a strong defensive foundation. Memphis was 12th in the NBA in defensive rating last season, despite their entire season being a train wreck.
Solid role players, including three-point shooters and young, adaptable talent, complement the club’s depth that is already strong thanks to Bane, Jackson Jr., and its spark Morant.
Forward GG Jackson II, who made a meteoric rise to prominence last season at the tender age of 19, is someone the Grizzlies are keeping their fingers crossed for. He was the game-changer in a doomed season and earned himself a standard contract. With 6’9”, highly athletic Jackson II on the court, it provides the team dynamic options, particularly in half-court sets. Last season, fans didn’t get to witness Jackson II and Morant develop a connection on the court.
Since Jackson II is still healing from foot surgery, we should expect to see him start the season sometime in December, so we will need to exercise patience till we witness his and Morant’s synergy.
The Grizzlies need to get back to their brand of basketball. When Memphis was the Western Conference runner-up in 2021–22 and 2022–23, they averaged more points in the paint than any other team in the league. They had the worst point differential and placed 13th in the Western Conference a season ago.
The squad now is looking to boast a more dynamic offensive game thanks to Taylor Jenkins and his reorganized coaching staff. Last year, Memphis’ offensive rating was the worst in the league.
Edey and Morant’s pick-and-rolls will feed families this season. Edey’s fit into the starting center position will allow Jackson Jr. to play at the four, where he excels.
Making a deep run in the playoffs is within reach if Memphis can avoid significant injuries this upcoming season.
12 Is Back
Given that the NBA is known as a “what have you done for me lately” league, some may have forgotten about Morant’s presence on the court.
“A happy Ja is a scary Ja,” according to Morant, who made the bold proclamation during last month’s media day.
Morant showed flashes of his dominance in the last preseason game this past Friday. In 25 minutes of play, Morant ended with 17 points and six assists in the preseason finale. He called his performance light and implied a secret weapon will be seen in the season opener in Utah.
The South Carolina native was thrilled to return to FedExForum after injury, citing fans as his driving force and motivation to perform. It was his first time playing before the home crowd since January 3, 2024.
In 2022–23, his last complete season (61 games), he played 31.9 minutes per game and averaged 26.2 points, 8.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.1 steals.
He understands that his availability is crucial to the Grizzlies’ success, so he’s been making an effort to avoid injuries and off-the-court issues like those that nearly derailed his career.
The two-time All-Star is still one of the league’s most exciting players, and he will make sure the league remembers who he is.
