Tag: Zach Edey

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Grizzlies Take Down Pistons to Win Second Straight

Desmond Bane shoots the ball against the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, April 5, 2025 (Photo by: Brian Sevald/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies secured the season series against the Detroit Pistons with a 109-103 win Saturday night, marking their ninth consecutive victory over Detroit. 

The Grizzlies dominated Detroit on the glass, out-rebounding them 64-44 and converted 17 offensive boards into 23 second-chance points. 

Grizzlies All-Star guard Ja Morant was sidelined due to food poisoning. His backcourt mate Desmond Bane led Memphis in his absence.

Bane exploded for 38 points, grabbed seven rebounds, and dished out three assists, while shooting 15-for-23 from the field. His 15 made shots tied for the second-most in his career, behind the 19 he made in a 49-point outing against the Pistons last season.

“He’s a good player and he can score in so many different ways,” Piston’s head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of Bane after the game. “He can make open shots; he can put the ball on the floor and create his own. He’s good at driving the ball and creating contact. He’s just a well-rounded offensive player.”

Memphis held Detroit to just 38 percent shooting, a promising sign that the team’s defense might be back on track. Have the Grizzlies finally figured out their identity on that end of the floor? Let’s hope so. The question on everyone’s mind is: Can they sustain this level of defensive intensity going forward? 

Bane said of the defense after the much-needed win , “That’s got to be our calling card for now, and for the rest of the season. We (have) to be able to get stops.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. posted 27 points, and added 11 rebounds, two assists, and a steal. He’s now scored 20+ points in five of his last six games and has reached double figures in 12 consecutive games.

Scotty Pippen Jr. added 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, and two blocked shots.

Zach Edey set a new career high and Grizzlies rookie record with 21 rebounds, adding six points, six assists, and a block. He’s been dominating on the glass, grabbing 13+ rebounds in each of his last three games. Edey currently ranks second among rookies with 8.0 rebounds per game, just behind Yves Missi’s 8.2. His impressive rebounding effort also tied for the 12th-most in a single game in Grizzlies franchise history.

Grizzlies interim head coach Tuomas Iisalo on Edey’s night: “He had a huge impact. He’s had an incredible stretch of games, 21 rebounds today. I think that’s a franchise rookie record. He also had six assists on top of that. There’s a lot of noise in an individual game basis, but he’s grasping the tactical nuances, he’s disciplined and executing the game plan. He’s relentless in getting after the second shots and screening for our shooters. He’s got a very bright future ahead of him.”

The Grizzlies improved to 46-32 on the season, putting them in a heated contest for postseason aspirations with only four games left to play. Every game matters at this point.

Up Next

The Grizzlies will face the Charlotte Hornets on Tuesday at 6 p.m. CT at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Post-Jenkins Era Begins with Loss to Lakers

Desmond Bane goes up for a layup against the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday, March 29, 2025 at FedExForum (Photo by: Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, 134-127, on Saturday night only added to the shock of head coach Taylor Jenkins’ abrupt firing on Friday morning. Jenkins, who had been with the team for six seasons, was let go despite the Grizzlies’ 44-29 record, which has them tied with the Lakers for the 4/5 seeds in the Western Conference.

The decision to fire Jenkins was made by Grizzlies general manager Zach Kleiman, who cited “urgency” as a core principle of the team. Kleiman stated that he came to the conclusion that firing Jenkins was in the best interest of the team. 

Jenkins’ firing sent shockwaves through the NBA, with many questioning the timing and reasoning behind the decision. The Grizzlies named assistant coach Tuomas Iisalo as the interim head coach. 

Prior to the game Iisalo expressed shock and surprise at Jenkins’ sudden firing, stating he had no inkling it was coming. He then accepted the role of interim head coach and has been scrambling to get organized and adjust to the new situation. 

The Grizzlies’ first-quarter struggles remained unchanged despite the coaching change, as they trailed the Lakers 39-28.

Iisalo attributed the loss to a poor first half, citing the team’s failure to execute the basics. He acknowledged the Lakers’ potent trio, but emphasized that the Grizzlies’ slow start was the decisive factor. Iisalo stressed the need for improvement, particularly with back-to-back games looming.

“The goal of the game is to win, obviously,” said Iisalo. “So we can’t be happy with our performances — but it was encouraging to me after that lackluster start, we did a lot of things a lot better in the second half.” 

Iisalo continued: “We had better on-ball pressure — we did better in our pick and roll defense. We did not allow the opposition to get easy offensive rebounds. We applied friction, as we like to say, in the full court, to wear down their best players, and not just allow them to jog into their spots and get the exact shots.” 

Desmond Bane led the Grizzlies, scoring 29 points to go along with six assists, four rebounds, and two steals.

Jaren Jackson Jr. shook off early foul trouble to deliver a strong performance, scoring 24 points on an efficient 8-of-13 shooting.

Following a six-game absence, Ja Morant returned to the lineup and nearly recorded a triple-double, posting 22 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds.

“Anything we want — we just got to lock back in,” Morant said when asked about what the team can still accomplish this year. “It’s not like we are eliminated from the playoffs,” Morant added. 

Morant emphasized the need for focus, communication, and teamwork to improve performance. He highlighted the importance of reading the game, making smart decisions, and playing with effort, while also stressing the need to correct simple mistakes and communicate effectively with teammates.

Zach Edey made a notable impact in his return to the starting lineup, contributing 14 points, grabbing 11 rebounds, and swatting three blocks in 26 minutes of play.

Off the bench, Scotty Pippen Jr. provided a spark, scoring 16 points and dishing out five assists.

The Grizzlies continue a three-game homestand, hosting the Boston Celtics at FedExForum on Monday, March 31, at 6:30 p.m., with the game set to air on TNT.

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Grizzlies Leave Jazz Singing the Blues

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.

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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

Memphis Keeps Rolling; Beat Bucks for Seventh Straight Time

Jaren Jackson Jr. goes up for a shot against the Milwaukee Bucks on February 2, 2025 (Photo: Gary Dineen/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Memphis Grizzlies moved to 33-16 with a 132-119 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on Sunday, securing their seventh win in eight games and a 2-0 season series sweep.

Memphis dominated the boards, outrebounding Milwaukee 61-36, with a 22-8 edge in offensive rebounds. The Grizzlies also held a significant advantage in the paint, outscoring the Bucks 66-36.

Memphis seized control of the game in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Bucks 39-20. During this decisive period, the Grizzlies made 15 of their 27 shot attempts.

All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. led the Memphis Grizzlies with 37 points, including 16 in the final period. This performance showcased his ability as one of the league’s top fourth-quarter scorers, where he ranks ninth with an average of seven points per game.

Jackson Jr. had a solid shooting performance, making 12 of his 26 field goal attempts and seven of his 13 three-pointers.

In the absence of star guard Ja Morant due to injury, the Grizzlies received significant contributions from others as Santi Aldama scored 23 points and grabbed eight rebounds off the bench. Desmond Bane also had a strong outing, posting 22 points and nine rebounds while shooting 9-15 from the field.

Zach Edey nabbed his sixth career double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds in 18 minutes of play. Off the bench Scotty Pippen Jr. had nine points, 10 assists — eight of which came in the final frame

Although GG Jackson II didn’t have a good shooting night, he did have a highlight block against Giannis Antetokounmpo. 

Jackson II chipped in five points and eight rebounds. 

The  Grizzlies are back at FedExForum tonight, February 3rd, to take on the San Antonio Spurs at 7 p.m. CT. Memphis has a 2-0 edge in the season series. 

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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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Third Quarter Surge Powers Grizzlies to Fifth Straight Win

Jaren Jackson Jr. and Zach Edey tap hands during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday, January 24, 2025. (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)

On Friday night at FedExForum, the Memphis Grizzlies secured their fifth consecutive win, defeating New Orleans, 139-126, and halting the Pelicans’ four-game winning streak in the process.

Memphis improved to 30-15 on the season and 18-5 at FedExForum.  

The Pelicans ended the first half on a high note, going on a 15-2 run to take a 71-62 lead into the break. However, Memphis had other plans in the third period. 

The Grizzlies came out scorching in the second half, making their first 14 shots and erupting for 43 points in the third quarter on 17-of-22 shooting. They also dished out a season-best 13 assists in the quarter.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led Memphis with 29 points, highlighted by a 15-point outburst in the third quarter. He shot with precision, making 10 of 16 field goals and 5 of 9 three-point attempts and dished out a career-high-tying seven assists. 

Jackson Jr. said he believes the Grizzlies’ three-point shooting “opens it all up” and forces defenses to adjust. He praised teammates Luke Kennard, Jaylen Wells, and Desmond Bane for making smart passes, and also commended Wells for his consistent shooting.

Jackson Jr. credits the Grizzlies’ improved team flow for making Bane’s shots easier and more open. He also praised Kennard’s consistent shooting, noting that when Bane and Kennard are making shots, others contribute with good shooting nights.

Jackson Jr. said effective communication is essential to the Grizzlies’ defense, enabling players to stay alert and make informed decisions. He noted that the team is addressing defensive struggles by communicating loudly and attributed many of these issues to a lack of awareness, rather than a lack of effort.

Kennard had a standout performance, scoring 27 points and dishing out six assists. He shot impressively, converting 10 of 14 field goals and 7 of 9 three-pointers. Notably, Kennard has been on a hot streak from beyond the arc, making 14 of his last 20 three-point attempts over the past two games.

Following the game, the Duke alum shared his thoughts on his recent surge: “When you have the ball in your hands, you have to be even more focused trying to make the right play, being aggressive. And for me, I think Coach (Taylor Jenkins) knows if I have the ball in my hands, especially early in the game, (it) gets me going a little bit — gets me into a rhythm. So credit to Coach for just trusting me in that aspect, getting me going early and getting me involved in the game.”

Kennard recognized Ja Morant and Bane as the team’s primary ball handlers, and said that his focus is on being aggressive without the ball and making smart, aggressive decisions when he does get the opportunity to handle it.

Bane had another phenomenal game, tying his season high with 14 assists and adding 20 points. The performance marked his seventh consecutive game with 20+ points and his fourth double-double of the season. Bane’s consistent scoring and ability to facilitate for his teammates have been key factors in the Grizzlies’ success.

Bane pointed out that the Grizzlies’ newfound proficiency from beyond the arc has made opponents think twice about leaving players like Jaren Jackson Jr., Morant, or himself unguarded: “This creates opportunities for easy scores or open shots when defenses provide help.”

Rookie Zach Edey delivered a notable performance, securing his fifth career double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds. His well-rounded effort also included three assists, one steal, and two blocks.

The Grizzlies are aiming to extend their winning streak to six games Saturday night, as they host the Utah Jazz at FedExForum, with tipoff at 7pm 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

Lakers Edge Grizzlies in Thrilling Matchup

Jaren Jackson Jr. goes up for a layup in a game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. (Photo by: Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)

Two Western Conference rivals delivered an electrifying performance Wednesday night, with the Lakers narrowly defeating the Grizzlies 128-123, capping off their second exciting matchup this season. After allowing L.A. to score nearly 40 points in the first quarter, Memphis rallied to pull within one point at halftime. The game see-sawed through the second half, but All-Stars LeBron James and Anthony Davis combined to hold off a late Memphis charge.

In the loss, Memphis show-cased impressive depth and balanced scoring, with seven players — including four reserves — reaching double-digits.

The Lakers achieved a season-best 20 three-pointers, but were outpaced by the Grizzlies, 58-36, in points scored in the paint.

Jaren Jackson Jr. led the way for Memphis with 29 points and seven rebounds. Despite the team’s injury-plagued start to the 2024-25 season, Jackson Jr. has been a consistent bright spot, scoring in double digits in every game he’s played. Through 10 appearances, he is averaging 22.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.2 blocks per game. 

After the game Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins shared his thoughts about the team’s performance, “Yeah, great fight by the guys. [We] dug ourselves a pretty big hole. [We] can’t give up 40 points in the first quarter on the road. I thought we let them get a little too comfortable. Way too comfortable, honestly. In the first quarter, we were taking the ball to the net too much and there were fouls and then we couldn’t run.” 

“Luckily, we found our groove in the second and third quarters,” added Jenkins. “We made that run in the fourth quarter. It just was a battle until the end. [I’m] proud of the fight. We definitely had a learning opportunity here. We got to come up better in the first quarter on the road.”

Jenkins concluded, “We had a couple of breakdowns defensively. They had some great execution with some zooming action and backdoor play for LeBron [James]. I thought we had some pretty good looks from the offensive side that didn’t fall. But I give them credit. They executed pretty well the last five minutes.”

History Maker

LeBron James will go down as one of the best players who ever stepped on a basketball court. He continues to make history, and Wednesday night against Memphis was no exception, as James, at 39, became the oldest player in NBA history to record three consecutive triple-doubles, surpassing his own record, set five years ago. Against the Grizzlies, he racked up 35 points, 14 assists, and 12 rebounds. It marked James’ 40th career 30-point triple-double and his fourth triple-double this season, solidifying his position as one of the all-time NBA greats.

That’s What They Said

Before fouling out, Zach Edey finished with 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench. 

“He’s a big body. He’s 7’4,” said Davis, who defended Edey. “When you have a guy like that, it’s hard to score and rebound, especially on the rebounding. He made a couple shots over me. And then you go to Friday against another guy in Victor Wembanyama. These guys are extremely tall, so you definitely have to put your work in a little early trying to push him out.”

The Grizzlies’ Luke Kennard on Edey:  “He’s been doing a great job of continuing to run the floor, being aggressive, protecting the paint, and that’s big for us. One of our biggest defensive keys is protecting the paint with everything that we’ve got. So having him down there, just being that presence; it really defers a lot of guys going to the rim. It’s stuff that really doesn’t show up on stat sheets. But I know personally, if I drive and I see a dude like that in there, it makes me want to pass the ball. But he’s been doing a great job. I feel like he’s picking stuff up really fast. We’re only … 11 games in now, or 12? He’s done a great job and [I’m] proud of him, how he’s really handled things.”

Who Got Next

The Grizzlies are set to face off against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco on Friday at 9 p.m. CT, for NBA Cup Group Play. The matchup marks their first meeting of the season. The Warriors, with a 9-2 record, are looking strong. The Grizzlies stand at 7-5. 

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Beyond the Arc Sports

Nets Hand Grizzlies Tough Home Loss

Brooklyn Nets forward Ziaire Williams (1) shoots the ball as Memphis Grizzlies forward Jaren Jackson Jr. (13), John Konchar (46) and Ja Morant (12) attempt to block the shot during the first half at FedExForum on October 30, 2024 (Wes Hale Photo)

The Memphis Grizzlies dropped to 2-3 on the season, falling 119-106 at home to the Brooklyn Nets. Injury woes continued, as starters Marcus Smart and Desmond Bane exited the game with ankle issues.

Despite favorable expectations, Memphis underperformed, hindered by careless ball handling which led to 22 turnovers that Brooklyn capitalized on for 31 points.

The Grizzlies’ quest for a faster tempo remains elusive, marred by sloppy execution and costly mistakes.

Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins expressed disappointment in the Grizzlies’ defensive performance, and praised the Nets offense. He admitted his team failed to execute their planned strategy and took responsibility for not adequately preparing them. 

“We just have to fill our cup,” Jenkins said, on dealing with injuries. “Tomorrow, [we play] a great [Milwaukee] Bucks team, and they’re going to be hungry for a win. We’re hungry for a win. It’s going to be two teams battling.” 

He continued, “We have to bring a better effort tomorrow, and whoever’s available to play has to go out there and compete even better than we’ve done the last two games. The guys are feeling it. They know it’s unacceptable.” 

“We [the coaches] have to find a way to be included,” Jenkins concluded. “I have to lead better —I have to prepare them better. Our guys have to go out and play better, so it all comes down to responsibility. We’ll just take it day by day. I don’t know where we’re going to stand tomorrow, but once we get through, we know we’ve still got depth that can go out there and can be better [than] before.”

Jaren Jackson Jr. poured in a season-high 30 points, shooting 83% from the field (10-12) and perfect from three (3-3), with 7-10 from the free throw line, his 23rd career 30-point game.

Ja Morant posted 14 points, eight rebounds, and 11 assists, securing his 64th career double-double and second of the season, despite shooting 5-16 from the field and 1-6 from three.

Zach Edey tied his career high and Brandon Clarke set a season high, each scoring 13 points. Edey went 6-9 from the field and 1-2 from the line, while Clarke shot a perfect 5-5 from the field and 3-3 from the free throw line.

No Time to Panic

Although disappointing, it’s only 5 games out of 82. As Jackson Jr. said last night, “Can’t panic. Soldiers don’t panic. Should never panic. Panic just makes it worse, makes anything worse. You just stay calm and work on what you have to do — work on your craft.” 

Up Next 

The Grizzlies’ four-game home stand comes to a close on Thursday, October 31, with a showdown against the Milwaukee Bucks at 7 PM CST.