Knicks forward OG Anunoby sank a game-winning 3-pointer with 4.3 seconds left in the game after New York erased a double-digit second-half deficit to push past the cold-shooting Grizzlies, 114-113, at the FedExForum on Friday, Feb. 28.
Knicks guard Jalen Brunson found Anunoby on a kick-out as the Grizzlies’ defense collapsed around him on a drive to the basket. On the game’s final play, Ja Morant’s layup attempt rolled off the rim. A Santi Aldama tip-in off an offensive rebound also fell short.
It was Memphis’ second loss to the Knicks this season. On Jan. 27, New York routed the visiting Grizzlies, 143-106.
“It won’t always go your way. You just have to look yourself in the mirror and go back to the drawing board and see where we can be better. A lot of positives, but not good enough,” said Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane.
Both teams traded the lead late in the game. Morant converted a three-point play with 14.1 seconds remaining to give Memphis a 113-111 lead after Knicks forward Mikal Bridges bit on a pump fake. On the prior play, Brunson gave the Knicks a 111-110 lead when he sank a 3-pointer with 23.9 seconds on the clock.
For much of the game, Memphis found most of its success around the basket. Poor outside shooting plagued the Grizzlies throughout the game. They made only 4 of 31 attempts from deep for a pedestrian 12.9% rate. The Knicks, meanwhile, found their range in the second half to erase a 12-point third-quarter gap.
“We had good looks. We just didn’t make the shots. We scored in the paint. We just couldn’t convert in the end. I’m proud of the fight by this group. It was a high-level basketball game, it will make us better,” said Grizzlies coach Taylor Jenkins.
With 3:08 left in the third quarter, Memphis had built an 84-72 lead. Less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, the Knicks grabbed their first lead of the game on a Cameron Payne 3-pointer. Afterward, both teams traded narrow leads. A pair of Morant free throws gave Memphis a 110-108 edge with 1:47 left. It was their final lead of the game.
“We didn’t shoot the ball particularly well. We had too many turnovers. We couldn’t finish it down the stretch. We played hard, but not enough to win,” said Bane.
Morant led all scorers with 25 points, but he missed all six 3-point attempts. It was the second game in a row the point guard struggled from deep. In the Grizzlies’ 112-110 win over Phoenix on Wednesday, Feb. 26, Morant made just 1 of 12 from beyond the arc.
The shooting woes extended beyond Morant. Guards Desmond Bane and Luke Kennard, both 3-point threats, shot a combined 0-8 for the game.
Bane finished with 24 points on 9-17 shooting. All-Star forward Jaren Jackson Jr. added 18 points and seven rebounds. Rookie center Kenneth Lofton Jr. had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Brandon Clarke scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds in relief. The latter three helped the Grizzlies outrebound the Knicks, 58-35.
“We did a better job of rebounding and being physical. We fought for sure,” said Jackson.
Brunson led the Knicks with 23 points on 10-23 shooting, including 2-6 from deep. He also added seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals. Anunoby tallied 19 points, shooting 4-10 from deep, including the game-winner. Josh Hart and Karl-Anthony Towns scored 12 points and 11 points, respectively.
Memphis’ record falls to 38-20 with the loss, sending the Grizzlies to third place in the Western Conference standings. Second-place Denver now holds a half-game lead over Memphis after the Nuggets defeated the Detroit Pistons, 134-119, on Friday night.
The Grizzlies host the San Antonio Spurs in a back-to-back contest on Saturday, March 1, at the FedExForum. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Memphis has defeated the Spurs in all three games this season.
