Jaren Jackson Jr.’s late-game heroics weren’t enough to complete a comeback as the short-handed Grizzlies dropped a nail-biter to the Spurs, 130-128, at FedExForum on Saturday, March 1.
It was the second tough loss at home for the Grizzlies in as many nights. Memphis also suffered a 114-113 heartbreaker to the Knicks on Friday.
“We can’t be urgent only when we’re losing. We have to be that way all the time,” Jackson said. “We are supposed to win. If we weren’t supposed to win, it may not feel as bad. We are supposed to win these games.”
Spurs point guard De’Aaron Fox sank a fadeaway jumper with 1.8 seconds left to end the game. The shot derailed a rally in which the Grizzlies erased a double-digit deficit late in the fourth quarter. The effort was led by Jackson, who finished with a game-high 42 points.
The All-Star power forward hit 15 of 25 shots, including 5 of 8 from deep. However, it was his defense that sparked the run. A corner 3-pointer by Jaylen Wells, which brought the Grizzlies to a manageable 114-105 deficit, was set in motion when Jackson blocked a Jeremy Sochan dunk attempt on the other end. Jackson scored the Grizzlies’ final seven points, including a 3-pointer with 23.1 seconds left that tied the game, 128-128.
A 9-0 run by the Spurs in the final period gave San Antonio a 114-102 lead with 7:43 remaining. San Antonio would lead by as much as 16 points during the game.
Fox and Devin Vassell led the Spurs’ starting unit with 20 points apiece. San Antonio center Victor Wembanyama is out for the season due to a blood clot.
However, it was the Spurs’ shortened bench that stole the spotlight. Four reserves combined to score 71 points. Rookie Stephen Castle led San Antonio with 25 points on 8-of-16 shooting. He also added seven assists in 32 minutes. Jeremy Sochan added 18 points and a team-high 11 rebounds. Guard Keldon Johnson scored 15 points, and forward Julian Champagnie contributed 14 points.
The Grizzlies also started a new-look lineup. With two starters out with injuries, Memphis coach Taylor Jenkins shuffled the deck. John Konchar and Scottie Pippen Jr. were given starting assignments as Ja Morant and Desmond Bane nursed injuries. Jenkins also inserted Santi Aldama into the starting five, opting to use rookie center Zach Edey off the bench. Edey has started most of the season.
Backups Brandon Clarke and Vince Williams were also out of the lineup.
Aldama responded with a 15-point, 11-rebound stat line. Pippen chipped in 12 points and seven assists. Jaylen Wells also played well in the fourth quarter, finishing with 18 points. The rookie forward hit 4 of 10 from deep.
Edey led the bench unit with 17 points and nine rebounds after playing 26 minutes. Luke Kennard totaled 14 points, six rebounds, and five assists in reserve.
Memphis has lost four of its last 10 games and fell to fourth place in the Western Conference standings with the loss. The first-place Oklahoma City Thunder hold a league-best 48-11 record, followed by the Denver Nuggets and the L.A. Lakers.
“It wasn’t good enough. The energy wasn’t good enough. The energy wasn’t there. We can’t let teams punk us. We can’t hope the coins flip our way. We’re not that team. We normally set the tone, and we haven’t been doing that,” Aldama said.
On a bright note, the Grizzlies recaptured their missing 3-point shot in the fourth quarter. Memphis shot an abysmal 4 of 31 against the Knicks, for an anemic 12.9%. Still, the Spurs’ 38.9% shooting (14 of 36) from beyond the arc eclipsed Memphis’ 28.9% (11 of 38).
Memphis will host the Atlanta Hawks on Monday, March 3, at FedExForum. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Grizzlies will close out a five-game home stretch against Oklahoma City on Wednesday, March 5.
