Jaren Jackson Jr. got the better of fellow 2025 All-Star selection Victor Wembanyama as the Memphis Grizzlies easily topped the visiting San Antonio Spurs 128-109 to grab their ninth win in the last 10 games on Monday, Feb. 3.
Jackson was named as Wembanyama’s backup to the Western Conference All-Star Game roster earlier this week.
Memphis took control of the game in the second quarter. Jackson sparked a 13-0 run on a midrange jump shot with 9:10 remaining in the second quarter that put the Grizzlies up 41-37. It was capped by a GG Jackson dunk with 2:44 on the clock that put Memphis up 58-37.
Jaren Jackson scored 15 of his game-high 31 points in the second quarter. He shot 10-21 from the field, along with 3-9 from deep. The two time all-star also had six rebounds and three blocks. He was also selected as a Western Conference reserve in 2023. Jackson scored 37 points in a 132-119 road win over the Milwaukee Bucks the previous night.
“Winning is everything. You find that out when you lose, it really doesn’t hit the same,” said Jackson.
His namesake teammate, GG Jackson, added a season-high 27 points off the bench. He shot an efficient 11-20 for the game, including 4-9 from three-point range. The second-year forward is returning to form after missing 42 games with a broken foot. In eight games, he averaged nine points and 3.6 rebounds.
The Spurs’ six-minute-plus dry spell ended after Chris Paul found rookie Stephen Castle inside for a dunk, which he converted for three points at the charity stripe following a foul. San Antonio finished the quarter with a 12-0 run of their own to winnow the Grizzlies’ lead to 61-49.
“They have a system. They commit to it night in and night out. They push the pace. Everyone shoot, pass and dribble. They defend, that is why they are one of the top teams in the league right now,” said Paul.
Memphis outscored the Spurs 37-28 in the final quarter, after San Antonio only shaved off two points from the Grizzlies halftime lead in the third quarter.
Along with the Jacksons, three other Grizzlies scored in double figures. Ja Morant returned to the lineup after missing two games to add 25 points, 11 assists and three steals. Morant’s 14 first quarter points paced the Grizzlies early.
Rookie center Zach Edey also had a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds. Edey was recently selected to the 2025 Rising Stars Challenge to take place during All-Star weekend.
Scottie Pippen Jr. added 11 points and five assists in reserve.
“Our scoring is spread out. There have been a lot of guys that have been the leading scorer of the game. Guys pitch in with scoring. It is a blessing to have guys like that on your team. Everyone is playing unselfish and go out and get a win,” said Morant.
Wembanyama finished with a double-double of his own, scoring 27 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, and notching five assists in the defeat. The 7’3” center scored 15 points in the first quarter.
“They play a stubborn way. They don’t bulge. They don’t adapt to the opponent’s game plan. They force their way and it working for them,” complimented Wembanyama.
Castle had a productive night with 21 points and six assists. Jeremy Sochan had 14 points off the bench.
Memphis will head to the Great White North to face the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, Feb. 5. The Grizzlies’ next home game will be against the Western Conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday, Feb. 8. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
