Memphis Grizzlies

The Memphis Grizzlies just keep on winning.

Ja Morant and the Grizz overcame an 11-point deficit at halftime—and a nine-point deficit midway through the fourth quarter—to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday afternoon, 108-106.

It was a balanced effort from Memphis (28-15), headlined by strong performances from Jaren Jackson Jr. (24 points, 11 boards, two blocks), Desmond Bane (22 points, five assists) and Morant (19 points, seven dimes).

"A jaw dropping pass" 😤

Ja Morant drops his 5th dime of the half ✨ pic.twitter.com/ZANWX6pZ7j

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 20, 2025

Bane gives the Grizzlies the lead late in the 4th 💪

He has 22 PTS ✨ pic.twitter.com/QTfzpKjuzN

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) January 20, 2025

Anthony Edwards was the best player on the court, leading the Timberwolves with 32 points, though he did have five turnovers. He got some serious help off the bench from Naz Reid, who scored 29 points and had eight rebounds, but Minnesota's four other starters combined to score just 25 points.

It was a particularly brutal night for Julius Randle, who shot 2-for-13 from the field en route to five points and 11 rebounds.

Despite the struggles of Minny's other starters, the Wolves still had the chance to tie or win the game on the final possession, but Edwards air-balled his three-point attempt through a Memphis double-team.

And so Morant and the resilient Grizzlies stole the win, and social media offered them their due flowers following the game:

Grizzlies Big 3 Tonight:

Ja JJJ Bane

19 PTS 24 PTS 22 PTS
7 AST 10 REB 6 REB
4 REB 56 FG% 5 AST
1 STL 3 STK 4 3PM

2-0 vs. Minnesota. 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/9vWvTfWCZA

— GrizzMuse (@GrizzlyMuse) January 20, 2025

Grizzlies with the HUGE 16 point comeback win against the Timberwolves on @NBAonTNT.

Brandon Clarke with some insane defensive plays down the stretch, JJJ with another masterclass 4th quarter, and Bane shutting up haters.

— Growl Towel Central (@GTC901) January 20, 2025

Amazing W for the Grizzlies. Fight back all the way to take it at the end. JJJ NEEDS to be an All Star. Minnesota execution not good in the last few minutes except for Naz. Very entertaining game

— Everyday Hoops (@everydayhoops10) January 20, 2025

Grizzlies took care of business

— Ju$to (@Countup_Jg) January 20, 2025

The #Grizzlies win! Anthony Edwards couldn't hit the game winner. Not a bad win by Memphis, considering they came from behind.

— Kaleb Blanton (@thekalebblanton) January 20, 2025

Ja Morant so smooth

— yaé (@_aunyeezy) January 20, 2025

JAREN JACKSON JR. IN THE GRIZZLIES WIN AGAINST THE TIMBERWOLVES :

- 24 Points
- 11 Rebounds
- 3 Stocks
- 9/17 FG
- +24 +/-

BIG TIME FOURTH QUARTER FROM TRIP. 💯 pic.twitter.com/fbT9ANYZxu

— Grizz Lead (@Grizz_Lead) January 20, 2025

The Grizzlies have now won both meetings against the Timberwolves (22-21), claiming that tiebreaker in the event the two teams finish even at the end of the regular season.

For now, however, the Wolves are fighting for their playoff lives. Currently the team sits 11th in the Western Conference, level with both the Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns in win percentage. The team is fighting just to be into the Play-In Tournament, let alone the postseason.

The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are in third place in the Western Conference and comfortably in the playoff picture for the moment. Memphis is finding ways to lock down victories, something that has been a struggle for these Timberwolves all season.

Two of the top three teams in the Western Conference faced off on Thursday night, with the Houston Rockets taking down Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies 119-115 at FedExForum.

Final. pic.twitter.com/MJW0q7vpNN

— Memphis Grizzlies (@memgrizz) January 10, 2025

The Grizzlies erased a 12-point deficit in the fourth quarter to trail by one point with just over one minute remaining, but a jumper from Fred VanVleet pushed the Rockets' lead to three and ultimately proved to be the difference in the win.

FVV. CLUTCH. pic.twitter.com/vGKa2bieQj

— Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) January 10, 2025

Morant made his return after missing five games due to a shoulder injury, but the star point guard didn't show many signs of rust.

He scored a team-high 27 points on 9-22 shooting, hitting one of his five attempts from three-point territory. Morant also recorded three assists, three rebounds and one steal in 29 minutes of action.

Fans praised his performance.

Was waiting for this version of Ja Morant tonight. Now the trash talk is going. He's feeling it.

— Drew Hill (@DrewHill_DM) January 10, 2025

Ja turning up

— GrizzbeHooping (@GrizzHooping) January 10, 2025

this is the most aggressive i have seen Ja Morant play all season. 🔥

— 𝕜𝕒𝕕𝕠𝕟 💫 🐻 (@kadonn_) January 10, 2025

Think we’re in for a very entertaining fourth quarter from Ja Morant. He’s been *extremely* aggressive getting to the rim since halftime.

Up to 25 in his first game back in nearly two weeks. Grizzlies trail the Rockets 101-92 going to the final frame.

— Matt Infield (@Matt_Infield) January 10, 2025

This a “Ja Morant save us” game

— 🐻 (@Grizzfan77) January 10, 2025

Ja Morant came back and back at it again🔥 carrying that team

— SNIP3D (@SNIP3D_) January 10, 2025

Ja Morant is unreal

— Mike Conley’s Last Dance (@TrellInterlude) January 10, 2025

The Grizzlies struggled with ball security against a tough Rockets defense, committing 19 turnovers while compiling just 20 assists.

For Houston, Alperen Şengün finished with a double-double by scoring 32 points and pulling down 14 rebounds. He also dished out five assists, shooting 12-20 from the field.

The Grizzlies dropped to 24-14 while the Rockets improved to 25-12, as Memphis fell 1.5 games behind the No. 2 spot in the West.

The Memphis Grizzlies appear primed to return to the playoffs this season after going 27-55 in 2023-24, and they may look to add an impact player on the wing to help their chances ahead of the stretch run.

Sam Vecenie of The Athletic reported Sunday that Memphis "is in the market for a big wing with a defensive edge."

With that as the backdrop, Vecenie called the Grizzlies his "favorite wild-card" in the potential Jimmy Butler sweepstakes and noted the Western Conference team was interested in Dorian Finney-Smith before the Los Angeles Lakers acquired him.

Butler—who the Miami Heat suspended and are open to trading—would be a massive addition who would change the entire fabric of the team on the court. The six-time All-Star would be another go-to option alongside Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. and be capable of guarding the opponent's best wing on a nightly basis.

However, the Grizzlies may not need to take that much of a swing to improve their overall outlook.

They are 23-13 and tied for second place in the Western Conference. Even incremental improvement on the wing would elevate their ceiling and likely wouldn't cost as much as a Butler trade.

That they are looking for help on the wing isn't particularly surprising, as they could run into bigger, physical players such as LeBron James, Luka Dončić, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Edwards, Kevin Durant or more in the Western Conference postseason.

Morant and Jackson give the Grizzlies excellent players in the backcourt and frontcourt. An additional wing who can take some of the defensive pressure off their shoulders would surely be a welcome on-court development.

Memphis Grizzlies star point guard Ja Morant has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 sprain in his AC joint, the team announced. The injury is considered week-to-week.

Morant suffered the shoulder injury against the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night, while the Associated Press (h/t ESPN) reported Saturday that Morant would have his shoulder evaluated.

The guard hurt his right shoulder when he collided with Daniel Theis in the third quarter of Friday's contest. He exited the game and entered the locker room for examinations before returning to the bench but missing the remainder of the game.

Head coach Taylor Jenkins had no initial update but said there would be "more of an evaluation in the next couple days."

Morant missed eight games with hip and pelvic muscle injuries before making his return on Nov. 25 and dropping 22 points and 11 assists in a 123-98 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.

Through 20 games this season, Morant is averaging 21.2 points, 7.9 assists and 4.4 rebounds. It's the first time since his second year in the NBA that he's averaging less than 25 points.

It was just a year ago that Morant was limited to nine games due to a suspension and subsequent shoulder surgery. He has played in more than 65 games in a season just once in his NBA career, and that was during his rookie year.

Still, Morant is one of the most dynamic and exciting players in the league when healthy. The 2019 No. 2 pick is the top option on a young and talented Grizzlies team that ranks second in the Western Conference with a 22-10 record.

If Morant is forced to miss time, Memphis will rely on star big man Jaren Jackson Jr. to lead the team. Veteran point guard Marcus Smart and emerging youngster Scotty Pippen Jr. would also see more playing time until he's able to return.

The Memphis Grizzlies have Brooklyn Nets forward Dorian Finney-Smith on their radar.

NBA insider Marc Stein reported that the Grizzlies are "a team to watch" in the market for Finney-Smith, who could hit free agency following the 2024-25 season.

The 31-year-old has a $15.3 million player option for 2025-26 but also could hit the market as a solid depth scoring option. He also could serve as a strong rental for a Grizzlies team hoping to contend this season.

Finney-Smith is averaging 10.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 19 games for the Nets in 2024-25. He is in his third season with the franchise and is fourth on the team in scoring.

The Nets are currently 11-18 and capitalizing on Finney-Smith's current value could be an attractive option for the rebuilding team. Memphis, on the other hand, is 20-10 and could build more scoring depth to gear up for a potential playoff run in a loaded Western Conference.

The NBA Trade Deadline is Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. ET.

After a brief exchange of words between Ja Morant and Brooklyn Nets head coach Jordi Fernández on Friday, the Memphis Grizzlies star point guard explained his side of the story.

Morant, who hit a stepback jumper at the buzzer before halftime, shouted "yeah, yeah, yeah" at the Nets bench on his way to the locker room in what he declared an attempt to get Brooklyn "riled up."

"I was trolling," Morant said, per Brooklyn Nets on SI's Wilko Martinez Cachero. "Just to get them riled up, and they did ... "If 'yeah' is disrespectful and it makes you feel some type of way, hey, so be it."

Fernández said he felt disrespected by Morant talking to him during the game, expressing that he would "never speak to other players" besides those he knows.

"The officials are the ones who have to see certain things," he said, per Martinez Cachero. "Again, my job is not to get into any of this. I will never speak to the other coach unless I know him. Like Taylor Jenkins, he's a great coach, and I know him, and I just wanted to say good luck. Same thing with the other players. I'll talk to Santi [Aldama] because I know him.

"Other than that, I will never speak to other players, and I don't want other players to speak to me. If they want to be nice, obviously, it's part of the game. If not, I don't want any interaction. I think it's disrespectful. It's not part of the game. And that's what we are projecting to everybody else, especially the little ones, is play with respect [and] respect for the game, whether you are a superstar or whoever you are."

Things between Morant and the Nets bench flared up again when he had a few words for them after the game. Grizzlies head coach Taylor Jenkins attempted to shut down the altercation, which led to Brooklyn guard Dennis Schröder jawing at him.

Ultimately, Memphis and Morant got the last laugh as they walked away with a 135-119 win behind Morant's 28 points, 10 assists and seven boards in the final game between the two squads this year.

The Nets won the first two meetings with the Grizzlies, giving them the win in the season series.

Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant explained Tuesday why he has toned down his dunking this season.

Following the Grizzlies' 121-116 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday, Morant told reporters: "I'm not trying to dunk at all. Y'all think I'm lying. I'm dead serious."

When asked to explain why he has decided to eliminate a trademark part of his game, Morant suggested it was in the name of self-preservation and avoiding injuries:

"Sometimes I get knocked out the air and [a foul] don't get called, and now I'm out longer than what I'm supposed to be. Sometimes the foul might get called; I still hit the floor, but after the game you might feel that little fall. So I just pick and choose, man. Hey, two points is two points. I get it done. That's all that matters."

Per ESPN's Tim MacMahon, there was a moment during the second quarter of Tuesday's game where Morant had a breakaway dunk opportunity, but rather than throwing down a highlight-reel jam like he typically would, he gently placed the ball in the basket with two hands.

While Morant is smaller than most NBA players at 6'2" and 174 pounds, his athletic dunks played a big role in putting him on the map when he played collegiately at Murray State.

He carried his style of play over to the NBA when the Grizz selected him with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NBA draft, but injuries have been a major issue for Morant throughout his career.

Morant has never appeared in more than 67 games in a single NBA season, and he is coming off a 2023-24 campaign in which he played a career-low nine games.

Part of that was due to a 25-game suspension for flashing a gun in multiple Instagram videos, but injuries also played a big role, as he suffered a season-ending shoulder injury back in January.

The 25-year-old Morant has returned to his productive ways when healthy this season, averaging 22.0 points, 8.6 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game for a Grizzlies team that is 14-8 and looking to bounce back from last season's 27-55 debacle.

However, durability has continued to be a problem for Morant this season, as he missed eight games last month with a posterior hip subluxation.

As a result, Morant has dunked the ball only three times in 12 games this season, according to MacMahon.

The Memphis faithful playfully booed Morant when he didn't go for a big dunk Tuesday, but Morant was unfazed, saying: "Hey, I'm fine with that. Continue to boo me. Hey, I got two points. It was still a dunk. It was just not the dunk they wanted to see. But if they boo me off a little rim-grazer, I'm fine with that."

Despite Tuesday's loss, the Grizzlies are tied for third in the Western Conference with the Mavs, just 2.5 games behind the first-place Oklahoma City Thunder.

Morant and the Grizzlies will be back in action Thursday when they host the struggling, 10-12 Sacramento Kings.

Memphis Grizzlies star guard Ja Morant will make his return against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday night after missing eight games with a hip injury, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.

Morant suffered hip and pelvic muscle injuries during a Nov. 6 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

The Grizzlies announced three days later that Morant was considered week-to-week after suffering a "posterior hip subluxation without dislocation" and "multiple associated Grade 1 pelvic muscle strains."

Haynes previously reported following the Grizzlies' announcement that the injury would sideline Morant for "at least a week."

Morant left the game against the Lakers in the third quarter after landing awkwardly following an attempt at an alley-oop. The Grizzlies initially described him as doubtful to return with a hamstring injury.

The 2024-25 season marks the second straight campaign during which the Grizzlies have lost Morant for a significant stretch of time. He played just nine games in 2023-24 amid a suspension and a season-ending shoulder injury.

The guard averaged 20.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 9.1 assists, shooting 44.8 percent from the field and 25.8 percent from behind the arc, through the first eight games of the season.

Morant has a career average of 22.4 points on 47.1 percent shooting from the field. He is in his second campaign of the five-year extension his sixth season with the Grizzlies, and his second since he signed in Memphis in 2022.

His availability down the stretch will be key to Memphis' hopes of getting to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2013. At the time of his latest injury, the Grizzlies were 59-77 with the two-time All-Star on the sideline, according to StatMuse.

It felt like the 90s again on Saturday with a Pippen dominating a game in the United Center.

Only this time it was Scotty Pippen Jr.

The son of Chicago Bulls legend and Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen led his Memphis Grizzlies to a 142-131 victory over his father's former team and opened up about what such a performance meant given his family's history.

"It's a dream come true. It's crazy to say I put up 30 and 10 in the gym where my dad had played," he said, per ESPN. "It means everything to me and my family. I talked to my dad tonight about coming in here and playing. He just told me to go out there and kill it, so that's what I tried to do."

The younger Pippen finished with 30 points and 10 assists while shooting 13-of-16 from the field and 3-of-6 from deep. It was a much-needed performance for the visitors, as Ja Morant is still out with a hip injury that has sidelined him since a Nov. 6 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

Pippen is averaging 12.6 points, 5.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.1 steals per game while shooting 48.5 percent from the field and 40.0 percent from deep this season. He has also scored at least 15 points in four different games since Morant's injury.

Saturday's performance was particularly notable, as his father won six championships and was a seven-time All-NBA selection and seven-time All-Star during his time with the Bulls. His No. 33 is retired and hangs from the rafters at the United Center, and he will forever be a franchise legend.

But it was his son who stepped into a starring role Saturday.

The Memphis Grizzlies could attempt to trade Marcus Smart due to the expedited development of several young players on the roster, according to Brett Siegel of Clutch Points.

"The emergence of Scotty Pippen Jr. and rookie Jaylen Wells has league personnel wondering if the Memphis Grizzlies would consider moving former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart, sources said," Siegel wrote on Friday.

Smart has appeared in seven contests this season, averaging 7.4 points and 3.7 assists per game while shooting just 30.0 percent from the field and 21.4 percent from three-point range.

He was present at the start of the regular season before missing six games due to an ankle sprain suffered against the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 30. He was eventually able to return, but he's been sidelined for Memphis' past three contests due to an illness.

A lack of availability has defined Smart's tenure with the Grizzlies since he was acquired by the organization in a June 2023 three-team trade with the Boston Celtics and Washington Wizards.

He appeared in just 20 games during his 2023-24 campaign, suffering a finger injury in a Jan. 9 game that kept him out for the remainder of the regular season.

Smart is under contract through the 2025-26 season and will earn $21.6 million in the final year of his current deal. Siegel noted that Memphis could utilize his salary slot in a trade "to add another high-profile player" next to star point guard Ja Morant.

While injuries and inconsistent perimeter shooting have made Smart's Grizzlies career fall below expectations, an opposing front office could still see upside in the 30-year-old. He won his first Defensive Player of the Year honor in 2022 with the Celtics and averaged 14.5 points per game during his injury-shortened inaugural season in Memphis.

The Grizzlies currently own a 9-7 record, an impressive feat considering Morant has missed their past seven games with a hamstring injury.

If Memphis is searching for another impact player to pair with the lead guard as well as Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane, Smart could be on the move.