Tag: San Antonio Spurs

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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.¹

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Edge Past Spurs 100-96 in First Play-in Game

Dillon Brooks rises for a dunk against the Spurs. - via Grizzlies Twitter

Growl towels up! Postseason basketball has returned to Memphis for the first time since 2017, and true to form, the Grizzlies kept it interesting against the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday night.  

Leading by as many as 21 points in the first quarter, the Grizzlies let off the gas and allowed the Spurs to catch up and keep the score close until the final possession. But ultimately the effort from San Antonio would not be enough to get past this Memphis team. Not even with 20 points put up by one of the ghosts of Grizzlies past, Rudy Gay.  

Let’s get into it.  

In the battle between the big men, Jakob Poeltl was clearly no match for Jonas Valanciunas. JV spent the night dominating in the post and feasting on the boards. In the battle between the coaches, Taylor Jenkins leading this team to a victory over a team coached by Gregg Popovich speaks volumes. 

Another fun fact — the 40 percent capacity for FedExForum made for the most fans to have been in the Grindhouse all season. Nature is healing.

By the Numbers 

Dillon Brooks led all scorers with 24 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. Brooks has been a tremendous asset to this team all season, and he is quickly shaping up to be one of the best wing defenders in the league. He’s also the kind of player who absolutely does not quit, which has paid off for the Grizzlies.  

Jonas Valanciunas had himself a big night, with 23 points and 23 rebounds. Yes, you did read that right. TWENTY-THREE REBOUNDS. JV might be the most underrated player in the league, and it isn’t close. Wherever you are ranking Valanciunas, it is almost certainly too low.  

Ja Morant had a solid night as well, finishing with 20 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists. Morant struggled a bit from the free-throw line, but his drive to improve is obvious. Cue Morant getting shots up from the charity stripe after the game. We see you, 12!

Jaren Jackson Jr. finished the night with 10 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists. 

Kyle Anderson closed out with 9 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 blocks, including 2 of 2 from beyond the arc. Let’s all take a minute to enjoy this stare-down by Anderson after chasing down and blocking a shot.

Who Got Next?

The Grizzlies will be heading back to Chase Center Friday, May 21st, to face off against the Golden State Warriors to determine who gets the 8th seed in the West. Tip-off is at 8 p.m.