The ‘hero’ on Monday night was Tyus and not Tyler (Herro) for the Memphis Grizzlies. Not all heroes wear capes but they might have ‘Stones.’
Tyus Jones, aka Stones, stepped up in the absence of Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson, Jr., and sharpshooter Desmond Bane to secure a 101-93 victory over the Miami Heat.
Jones finished with a career-high 28 points, and added 10 assists, and two steals while shooting 10-of-16 to help the Grizzlies to improve to 15-9 on the season.
Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins talked about the importance of having Jones when Morant is sidelined. “When Ja [Morant] is out, for Tyus to step in … he’s had a couple of moments so far this season with Ja out,” said Jenkins. “This was definitely his best game with Ja out, and obviously with [Jaren Jackson Jr.] and [John Konchar] out.”
Jenkins added, “He is back because he means so much to us beyond just a game like tonight. It’s every single night. The spirit he plays with, coming off the bench, playing with the starters, with the bench unit … the leadership, his growth as a player, as a person. … He means so much to us. He’s a Grizzly. That’s why we wanted him back. He’s got a huge impact on our culture, a huge impact on winning. So, that’s why Stones.”
“I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again and I will continue to say it,” Jones said after the game. “I view myself as a starter in this league. I feel like I am a starter in this league, I just come off the bench. I have no shame in that.”
Jones continued, “I love being in Memphis. I take pride in it. I take pride in my role as part of this ball club. When I’m called upon to start, I’m very confident and comfortable in that role, as well. I think Coach [Taylor Jenkins] and the rest of my teammates are comfortable and confident in that, too. Part of the reason why I’m here is that I can fill in when [Ja Morant] needs a night and try to continue to steady the ship.”
Santi Aldama tallied 18 points and 10 rebounds off of 66.7 percent from the field to secure his second double-double of the season.
Aldama said he was feeling it when he woke up.
Memphis’ own Kennedy Chandler had his breakout game of the season. Chandler stuffed the stat sheet with nine points, five assists, and three rebounds, plus two steals and a block.
Memphis limited the Heat to one of its lowest shooting percentages of the year, holding them to 39 percent from the field.
Finally, Memphis went 100 percent from the free throw line, thanks in part to Jones, who went 5-for-5. Let me repeat that again, Memphis went 100 percent from the free throw line!! The Grizzlies only shot nine free throws but any improvement is to celebrated, since free throw shooting has been a nagging issue.
Grizzlies color analyst Brevin Knight jokingly said he warned Grizzlies play-by-play announcer Pete Pranica not to mention anything about the free throws. Knight said later on social media, “You can never be surprised by this Memphis Grizzlies squad. Missing four rotation guys and playing the second night of a back-to=back against a rested veteran team and it didn’t matter. Everyone was huge and Tyus Jones was special.”
Next Man Up
The Grizzlies have made the next man up mentality an integral element of the team culture.
“Nothing changes,” Jenkins said about the bench stepping up in starters absence. “Day in and day out, how we approach our work, our individual development, our team development, the next-man-up mentality. We just say, ‘Go out and play Grizzlies basketball.’ We approach our practices the same way, our shootarounds, our offensive philosophies, defensive philosophies. We don’t change how we coach. We don’t change how we celebrate for each other. We navigate each day.”
Jenkins went on to say, “That was a special win last year at the end of the season (over the Phoenix Suns). But tonight is a great example of guys just staying ready. That’s what I told the guys in the locker room, especially guys I haven’t played a whole lot. That’s Grizzlies basketball. That’s Grizzlies prep. That’s the Grizzlies standard. That’s how we operate.”
Tidbits
Ziaire Williams is close to his season debut. He was upgraded from out to doubtful. Jenkins talked about his progress before the game. “We’re getting closer. I don’t have a definitive date. He did some five-on-five with the Hustle, and had a great play group there.”
“It’s very beneficial that our Hustle team is available with their schedule,” added Jenkins. “The opportunity to play five-on-five against other pro players has been great. He’s progressing really well and responding to everything well every day after the workloads we’re providing him.”
Jenkins concluded, “I think this is the second or third time he’s gotten in on five-on-five. We’ll just kind of recalibrate, see how tomorrow goes and dress Wednesday, and we have a game on Friday as well. So, potential in the next week or so.”
Up Next
The Grizzlies will host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night. Tip-off: 7pm CT.
