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.