The win improved Memphis’ record to 9-7 and marked Head Coach Taylor Jenkins’ 215th career win, making him the all-time winningest coach in franchise history.
The Memphis Grizzlies closed out a three-game homestand on Wednesday, Nov. 20, with a 117-111 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers at FedExForum.
Jenkins Sets Record
Jenkins celebrated the milestone with his team, who doused him in bottled water and Gatorade after his postgame speech. Reflecting on the accomplishment, Jenkins gave credit to his predecessors: “It’s an unbelievable honor to be among the company of so many great coaches that have come before me. It’s not about me at the end of the day. We’ve got a lot more work to do… but it’s a cool milestone and a great celebration with the group.”
Brandon Clarke, who was part of the celebration, said, “It’s nice being there for every win with him. I’ve just seen him grow as a person and as a coach.”
Offense Finds Its Rhythm
After a lackluster offensive performance in their previous game against Denver, the Grizzlies came out strong against Philadelphia. Memphis shot 51% from the field in the first half, making 13 three-pointers at a 50% clip. Desmond Bane led the way with 16 first-half points, while Luke Kennard added three triples off the bench.
The Grizzlies’ ball movement was on full display, with 20 assists in the first half, helping Memphis to a 63-53 halftime lead. Joel Embiid led the 76ers with 15 points and five assists at the break.
Third-Quarter Push
Jaren Jackson Jr. and Santi Aldama took over in the third quarter, combining for 17 points to help Memphis maintain control. The Grizzlies entered the fourth quarter up 90-81 and looked poised to cruise to victory, holding a 111-98 lead with six minutes remaining.
However, as often happens in the NBA, Philadelphia made a late push, cutting the deficit to 115-111 with 54 seconds left. Jackson sealed the win with a pair of free throws in the final moments.
Cam Spencer Makes Debut
Grizzlies rookie Cam Spencer made his season debut after recovering from an ankle injury. Spencer, who made a name for himself in the Summer League, is known for his sharpshooting and was a key player on UConn’s national championship team last spring.
Key Performances
Philadelphia (2-12) was led by Embiid, who scored a game-high 35 points, including 14 from the free-throw line. Rookie Jared McCain continued his strong play, finishing with 20 points—his sixth consecutive 20-point game—while Guerschon Yabusele added 17 points off the bench.
Memphis (9-7) had a balanced attack, led by Jackson with 25 points. Bane flirted with a triple-double, contributing 21 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists. Aldama added 12 points and six assists, while rookie Jaylen Wells excelled on defense and chipped in 14 points. Kennard scored 12 points, including three of four from beyond the arc.
Kennard emphasized the importance of maintaining focus: “Yeah, there’s going to be nights where we miss shots… but I think for us, we got to hang our hat on the defensive end and really lock in there. That gets us going offensively, when we can get out and run and push the pace.”
Looking Ahead
Next up for Memphis is a road game against the Chicago Bulls. The Grizzlies then return home for a four-game homestand starting Monday, Nov. 26, against the Portland Trail Blazers, followed by games against Detroit and New Orleans. The game against New Orleans will be another Cup Game in the NBA’s In-Season Tournament.
